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Utah Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: What can I do when someone took my dog when kicked me out, then claiming his hers and that she takes care of him

Technically the dog isn’t registered to either of us, but to a third party I don’t want to get involved.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 15, 2023

If someone has taken your dog without your consent and is claiming ownership, you should initially attempt to resolve the situation through communication. Share your side of the story and your attachment to the dog. Gathering evidence such as photographs, veterinary records, or any documentation of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: If my cat goes on my neighbor's fence or in the backyard what recourse for he have?

If I were to go next door and show my neighbor that these are my cats and he knew they were mine could he still call the pound everytime if he were to catch it in a cat trap that could get pricey$$??

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 26, 2023

In most places, pet owners are required by local ordinance to keep their pets on a leash or to confine them within the owner’s yard.

A property owner does not have to allow another person’s pet to enter their yard. Free-ranging pets present a health risk as well as being a nuisance....
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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: I got a puppy and can't make the payments , I included seller in bankruptcy can he take her back?

I was supposed to pay 2 payments and haven't been able to. I am filling bankruptcy and included the seller. Can he come and get her like he is threatening to do?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Sep 25, 2021

No. Not if you’ve actually filed bankruptcy. Until you file, yes.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Utah on
Q: Are there any legal recourses against pet care-giver who gets your pet high, allows it to swallow pot almost killing pet

We dropped off our very small dog to a care-giver supposedly vetted by a larger company (like an air bnb - you find a care-giver in your area with ratings or close by). When we went to pick him up he was extremely lethargic. Care-giver said he was just tired. It didn't make sense. Our dog was... View More

Lance E. Bastian
Lance E. Bastian
answered on May 26, 2021

With respect to the criminal side of things, you just need to call the police in the jurisdiction where the abuse took place. They will take the information you have and investigate further, as needed. As to the civil side, this case would probably come down to the value of the claim. Assuming the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Utah on
Q: My neighbor, a close friend, asked me to take his dog when he died. He died of cancer last week.

When he was alive, he told me that he put his dog in his will and specifically told me that it was important (he was acting very cryptic and secretive about it). His estranged wife keeps asking me if I'm going to keep her. I told her yes, and that I suspected my friend (her estranged husband)... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 26, 2021

If you are to receive his dog (which is deemed "property") then you are a beneficiary of the will. As such, you are entitled to see the Will unless the Will says otherwise (something like, no beneficiary is entitled to a copy of the will and will be subject to judicial review only).... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: My dog was supposed to be in quarantine for 10 days and I think that the animal shelter put him down without my consent
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 26, 2020

That is terrible! You can file a civil lawsuit. I would recommended talking to a local civil attorney about this. You can also try going to the media to raise awareness

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: What is needed to prove ownership of a dog in Utah?

I am going through a break up. We bought a dog together. Luna is licensed under my name in the state of Utah, and all Of her vet/medical/microchip stuff is all under my name as well. Does this make her legally my dog? Or is there more to it than that?

I want to add that we purchased the... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Aug 19, 2020

Since you posted this question in the divorce section, I am going to assume that you are married and going through a divorce. If that assumption is incorrect, the answer may be different. In Utah, dogs are considered personal property under the law. The presumption is that all property (including... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: I bought a dog paid 200 and then the seller called saying I had to bring her back. There wasn’t a contract. Do I have To

I went to Logan Ut. To buy a puppy after talking to the seller on the phone. I paid $200 for her And the manager said I was welcome to take her, that the seller said she was mine if I paid. After driving back to Salt Lake I got a call from the seller saying I had to bring her back to her. That it... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 20, 2020

If you paid the money and took the puppy, then the contract is complete, even if there is no written contract. Verbal contracts are enforceable. Based on what you wrote, I do not see any grounds for you to HAVE to return the puppy.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: my girlfreinds mom gave her a dog for her 18th birthday and is kicking us out of the house and is saying that its hers

If it was given as a gift it's to my understanding that you cannot just take it back because of a disagreement

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 10, 2020

Your understanding is correct: a gift given and complete is given forever, unless there were conditions attached to the gift. For example, I will give you this puppy if you apply to at least three colleges.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: Can I legally take someone else's puppies to the pound if they don't pick them up when they said they would?

I volunteered to watch 2 puppies for 2 weeks (ending June 24). For free. She then moved to California the next day. After her verbally attacking me, I told her I would take them to the pound if she didn't have someone come get them at the 2 weeks mark. She said i don't have her permission... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jun 18, 2020

You should be very happy that the puppies stayed with you and she moved to California, instead of Vice-Versa. The issue is: "Has she abandoned the property? (dogs are property)" I would suggest that you call your local animal shelter to find out what the rules are with respect to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: Is it illegal to leave a dog in the car if all the windows in the car are down and they are very well taken care of

The was this woman who thinks it’s illegal to leave our dogs in the car when all the windows are down while we were eating she broke into our car

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2019

The animal cruelty statute in Utah Code Ann. sec. 76-9-301 states that "a person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if the person . . . intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence . . . injures an animal [or] abandons an animal." The animal cruelty statute requires... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: Could I press charges against somebody who has fed my dogs without permission?

I have a neighbor that has fed my dogs many times and has been caught doing so, and we have approached him multiple times and he denies doing it though we have caught and approached him in the act! He has made both of our dog extremely sick, and almost killed one when she was younger. The first... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 5, 2019

A pet owner could file a complaint with the local police department for animal cruelty. Utah Code Ann. sec. 76-9-301 states that "a person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if the person . . . intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence . . . injures an animal."... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: I got a ticket because my dog or supposedly my dog barked at the neighbor at 11 at night can I fight this
Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 5, 2019

Noise laws are generally governed by city and county ordinances rather than state law. Under the state statute in Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-102A, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct if the person "makes unreasonable noises in a private place which can be heard in a public place." If the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: If I tell an individual I live with not to touch my dog and he does it anyway multiple times can I take legal action?

He's a violent roommate and has threatened to put a shock collar on her and has touched her roughly. She's 2. Ive told him multiple times to keep his hands off my dog and he kept touching her even when she was next to me and out of the way

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Apr 23, 2019

Pets are property. If someone touches your property then you can sue them for trespass against property. The fact that your property is a dog doesn't really matter. Other facts that might matter are those that would weigh in on evidence of the wrongful touching. Things like, does the dog... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: I sold my boyfriends dog for $300 without his permission. Can I get the dog back?

The person who purchased her said my boyfriend could see the dog ongoing and even watch the dog while they had their 2 family vacations each year. The purchaser has not held up to their end of the agreement. What do i do?

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 17, 2018

Hello,

I am sorry for your predicament.

I am guessing that this dog didn't have some paper title or appear on some state registry that lists the dog and the owner and some kind of identification number. If they do then, then it would be easier for your BF to talk to the police...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Animal / Dog Law and Small Claims for Utah on
Q: Am I entitled to a refund or reimbursement of vet expenses for a puppy I bought with undisclosed health problems?

We bought a 6 month old puppy through KSL classifieds two months ago. We took her in to be spayed two weeks later and learned that she had a severe bladder infection along with blatter stones and crystals. The cost of diagnosis and treatment exceeded the cost of the puppy. On top of that, we... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 8, 2018

Hi,

I am sorry for your situation. Utah is a buyer beware state. There are some enhanced duties if the seller is a "merchant" meaning that they do this for their profession, but unless he actively hid it from you or represented that the puppy definitely did not have eptopic...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Contracts for Utah on
Q: If I got a dog from an organization but months later changed my mind. Do I have to return the dog to them?

Yes we signed a contract but it was under $500 for the dog. I don’t see how they would have a right to her after a transaction took place.

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 8, 2018

Hello,

I am not sure I understand the situation. Let me see if I have this correct: 1) You purchased a dog from an organization for less than $500. 2) Later you changed your mind.

I am trouble understanding what 2) is intended to mean. Are you saying that you changed your mind...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Small Claims for Utah on
Q: I bought a dog and 2 months later the lady wants him back, can she by law take him?

I bought a dog 2 months ago and now the lady that sold me the dog is saying that she wants him back and is saying legally the dog is still hers. I paid $500.00 for the dog and I have a bank statement saying I sent her the money. Can she’s call the cops and come after me?

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Mar 15, 2018

Animals are property. And I guess technically would fall under the "statute of frauds" that states that goods sold over $500 need a written contract in order to be enforceable. Was there a contract or some type of writing generated for the sale of the dog? Or was it a cash deal of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Small Claims and Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: what are the law on pet custody in Utah?

My now ex-girlfriend decided to bring a hedgehog to my house. she lives in Missouri. it's been about 2 months and still doesn't know when she is coming back for him. I love him and have grown a strong bond for him. is there a way i can gain legal ownership of this hedgehog?

Aric M. Cramer
Aric M. Cramer
answered on Feb 3, 2018

This is an Animal law question, not a criminal law question. Contact an attorney in that specialty.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: My friend's has my dog and refuses to give her back to me he won't return any calls and now threatens to call animal con

Yeah my friend was left with my dog when I got stranded yesterday and I tried calling him all day and he won't return my phone calls or my text messages and now he responds to me and says I have an hour to come get her or he's calling Animal Control what should I do is that illegal

Aric M. Cramer
Aric M. Cramer
answered on Jan 22, 2018

If you feel a crime has been comitted you should call the police.

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