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California Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Amazon delivery driver injured my dog; how to claim medical costs?

My dog was severely injured when an Amazon delivery driver ran him over near the end of my driveway in Apple Valley, CA. The driver did not stop, and my neighbors and father attempted to chase him down. Amazon has identified the driver, who submitted a video of the incident from the truck's... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Apr 22, 2025

Hire a lawyer right away to protect your rights and ensure Amazon takes responsibility. Since Amazon has acknowledged the report and has video evidence, a lawyer can push for immediate reimbursement or coverage of your dog’s medical expenses. Gather all documentation—vet quotes, witness... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Amazon delivery driver injured my dog; how to claim medical costs?

My dog was severely injured when an Amazon delivery driver ran him over near the end of my driveway in Apple Valley, CA. The driver did not stop, and my neighbors and father attempted to chase him down. Amazon has identified the driver, who submitted a video of the incident from the truck's... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Apr 22, 2025

My heart goes out to you and your dog. The legal system is not always the best route to solve issues?

Please note, I do NOT have THE answer but only a few thoughts, so here goes nothing:

a- FIND the money asap to helpl the dog, if at all possible, to lessen his/her suffering and to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Criminal Law for California on
Q: How to recover my stolen French Bulldog sold without my consent?

I filed a police report after my French Bulldog, which I purchased for $5,000, got out of my yard and was taken by a lady. She claimed she would reunite lost dogs with their owners but instead sold my dog to another person for a fee. I have a text where she admits having my dog. The new owner... View More

Mario Tafur
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Mario Tafur
answered on Apr 9, 2025

Dear Victorville Resident,

The individual who took your dog and sold it may be liable under Penal Code Section 496, which addresses receiving or selling stolen property. The text message where she admits to having your dog is a key piece of evidence, supporting a claim that she knowingly...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Car repossession despite no late payments, dogs harmed, no notification received. What are my rights?

Despite having no late payments, my car was repossessed in Santa Ana, California, without any notification, and returned to the dealership. The repossession occurred without the repo person identifying themselves or involving law enforcement. My car, with my dogs inside, was later reported... View More

Daniel Timothy LeBel
Daniel Timothy LeBel
answered on Apr 6, 2025

I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and especially what happened to your dogs. There are no facts here that make this sound like a repossession other. It's common that a thief will dump a vehicle shortly after taking it. There are certainly horror stories and I have represented... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I was bitten by a dog 2 months ago on the wrist while house sitting and I have a referral to see a hand surgeon in June,

I was bitten on the wrist by a dog I was house sitting about 2 months ago, and it seems to have affected my tendons. The dog has a past history of biting, the owner's homeowner's insurance just paid out some money to a lady the same dog bit 6 months ago.

I also know that the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 1, 2024

You have a case. Contact one of us on Justia or another personal injury attorney to discuss. This will involve making a claim against the homeowner's insurance company. You will likely be referred to a hand surgeon who will evaluate you on a lien, meaning s/he gets paid out of the future... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I was bitten by a dog 2 months ago on the wrist while house sitting and I have a referral to see a hand surgeon in June,

I was bitten on the wrist by a dog I was house sitting about 2 months ago, and it seems to have affected my tendons. The dog has a past history of biting, the owner's homeowner's insurance just paid out some money to a lady the same dog bit 6 months ago.

I also know that the... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Dec 2, 2024

Under the state's strict liability law for dog bites, where the dog owner is liable if their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, like during house sitting, you have a very high likelihood of success in your claim. The dog's history of biting strengthens... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I was bitten by a dog 2 months ago on the wrist while house sitting and I have a referral to see a hand surgeon in June,

I was bitten on the wrist by a dog I was house sitting about 2 months ago, and it seems to have affected my tendons. The dog has a past history of biting, the owner's homeowner's insurance just paid out some money to a lady the same dog bit 6 months ago.

I also know that the... View More

Haleh Shekarchian
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Haleh Shekarchian
answered on Dec 1, 2024

You can get money for your medical bills, loss of earrings, pain and suffering etc from his homeowners insurance. Contact any one of us on Justia and we can refer you to an Orthopedic hand specialist who would see you on a lien basis. This means he will wait to get paid at the end when the case... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can we sue a veterinary clinic in another state (FL) for malpractice without a veterinarian letter claiming malpractice

We had a dog spayed in FL which had complications totally $15K. We've been unsuccessful in obtaining getting the surgeon to response back with a letter of malpractice against the veterinarn clinic in FL.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Nov 24, 2024

You can sue, but you will lose. Complications are a normal part of surgeries, whether on humans or animals. In order for the veterinarian to be liable for the complications, you have to show that s/he did something negligent, or below the standard of care. If you can't show that with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Who is responsible for damages for my dog bite?

I was walking my pug dog on a leash on a sidewalk. As I passed a house a pit bull mixed dog came from behind an open gate toward me. I picked up my dog to protect it and the other dog bit me on my hand. causing serious injuries. The owner of the dog came out from the house, provided proof of rabies... View More

Jamil Shaaban
Jamil Shaaban
answered on Aug 15, 2024

Generally, a landlord is not automatically liable for injuries their tenant's dog causes. However, they can face liability where: (1) they had actual knowledge of the dog's vicious tendencies; meaning they knew the dog was aggressive or had bitten someone before; and (2) they had the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Can my vet add to my invoice from something in 2020, 4 years ago and add interest fee and late charges all in one day.

So this is the place I use to work at I left on good terms. My cat passed away 2 weeks ago I didn't have money to pay for his ashes I asked if it's okay to do payments I'll pay when I get paid next week, they said okay. So my other cat got sick me terrified that he has the same thing... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 3, 2024

This is a complex situation that raises several legal and ethical questions about veterinary billing practices. Here's a breakdown of the key issues:

1. Adding charges from 2020:

Generally, a business can bill for services rendered, even if there was an initial oversight....
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can CA court change terms of probation? Animal cruelty case- pled guilty - terms of probation did not ban ownership

Dogs were taken by animal control pending animal cruelty case. The dogs were released to family pending court outcome. Sentencing and probation complete which did not ban ownership or animals return. Animal control has not yet released my dogs. Can they go back to the court and ask them to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2024

In general, once a court has sentenced a defendant and imposed specific terms of probation, those terms cannot be easily changed or amended after the fact, especially if the case has been concluded. The court's decision is usually considered final once the sentencing is complete.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can CA court change the terms of informal probation? Animal cruelty case trying to get my dogs back

Court completed - probation terms did not specify that dogs could not be returned. Animal control has not released my dogs who are currently under my family members’ care. Can animal request for the courts to amend their decision?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2024

In California, the court has the authority to set and modify the terms of informal probation, also known as summary probation or court probation. However, once the court has issued its decision, it is not common for the terms to be changed unless there is a significant reason to do so.

If...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Dogs seized by animal control (pled guilty to penal code 597a). When can i get my dogs back.

Dogs were seized 4mo ago. Pled guilty yesterday and agreed to 1yr probation, 80days work release, fines were waived. There was no mention in the terms of the probation or anything by the lawyers or judge barring me from having my dogs back. It is nowhere in my paperwork. Animal control allowed my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 7, 2024

In California, once you've pled guilty and been sentenced, the terms of probation and court orders are critical in determining whether you can have your dogs back. Since your probation terms and the court documents don't mention any restrictions on having your dogs, this is a positive... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: I live in an apartment in Milpitas and my landlord has alleged my dog attacked someone. Given 48 hour to remove pet.

What is my recourse? I obviously don't want to get rid of my pet. How do I fight this?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 4, 2024

Under California law, your landlord must provide evidence of the alleged attack before requiring you to remove your pet. It is essential to request any documentation or witness statements that support the claim. If your landlord cannot provide sufficient proof, you may have grounds to contest the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: In incident happened with my emotional support dog and security. Property mgr gave me notice to get rid of the dog. Then

A verbal statement saying dog could stay. Started procedures to have my 32 yr son to move in end of June. Now MGMT states he would have to be a live-in attendent but he wants to do other kind of work. Been having issues with MGMT since Jan. I feel like I am being harassed and my civil rights are... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 30, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it seems like you may have a case for housing discrimination and violation of your rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and potentially the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are a few points to consider:

1. Emotional Support Animals...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: In incident happened with my emotional support dog and security. Property mgr gave me notice to get rid of the dog. Then

A verbal statement saying dog could stay. Started procedures to have my 32 yr son to move in end of June. Now MGMT states he would have to be a live-in attendent but he wants to do other kind of work. Been having issues with MGMT since Jan. I feel like I am being harassed and my civil rights are... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jun 1, 2024

Your LL is violating your rights as a physically disabled individual, particularly with respect to having a live in aide. The LL is not able to dictate the terms of your arrangement with the aide, nor can the LL prevent the aide from seeking additional employment for personal support. Thanks for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: If an animal shelter has my dog and never contacted me but they said they did and I said to them i don't want her that's

Lying r and then when I called her microhip company four days after they been had her and still took a report so by my own they had her fours days they were going to put her asleep without even none of them trying to inform me at all

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 27, 2024

Under California law, animal shelters are required to make reasonable efforts to contact the owner of a lost pet before putting the animal up for adoption or euthanizing it. Here are a few key points related to your situation:

1. Holding period: California law requires shelters to hold...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: A train killed my dog. I live next to the train tracks. What can I do

I live in between businesses about 40 feet from the tracks. It was about 9:10 at night I got home for my lunch and let the dogs out to go potty. I went across the tracks to do so and on our walk back we crossed over them again and the train blew its horn maybe ten seconds after I crossed and hit my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 23, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your dog. That must be devastating. While the train company is likely correct that they aren't liable if the dog was unleashed near the tracks on your property, you may still have some options to explore:

1. Check local leash laws and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: A train killed my dog. I live next to the train tracks. What can I do

I live in between businesses about 40 feet from the tracks. It was about 9:10 at night I got home for my lunch and let the dogs out to go potty. I went across the tracks to do so and on our walk back we crossed over them again and the train blew its horn maybe ten seconds after I crossed and hit my... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 23, 2024

How did the train conductor do anything wrong? You had an obligation to have your dog on a leash. The train wasn't invisible, you should have seen it before the whistle blew and moved your dog, which should have been on a leash.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can police take your dogs if they're not in harm's Way and they're sitting in a vehicle

We were loading the truck and when we stopped to go in to use the restroom one of the dogs that was in the back ended up jumping out hanging itself and we had puppies in the cab part and the cops took the puppies even though none of the dogs were neglected or abused it was just an unfortunate... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 13, 2024

Under California law, police can take your dogs if they believe the animals are in immediate danger or if there is evidence of neglect or abuse. In your situation, even if the incident was an unfortunate accident, the police may have interpreted it as a sign that the animals were not safe in your... View More

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