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California Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Contracts for California on
Q: Hello me and my wife are breeders in California and her friend trespassed and took our dog but didn’t sign the contract?

She is pregnant and worth 3500$ we need a lawyer ASAP!!! FYI I called the police they did nada and said it’s a civil matter!

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 12, 2021

Call the police and report a burglary/theft. That's a lot faster than a lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Drug addicted ex-house mate leaves dog, comes back 6 months later and steals her from our yard. Can we get her back?

Long story short, he moved to Oregon suddenly and asked us to pick her up at his x girlfriends house. We made a verbal agreement we would take her, but she is our dog now. After 6 months, he shows up and takes her out of our yard and back to Oregon. We asked repeatedly if he was there to take her... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 28, 2021

You can sue in CA Small Claims and get an Order for return of Property. You will then have to hire an Oregon attorney to enforce that Judgment in Oregon.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: How do the courts in California determine the monetary value of a dog when its considered personal property?

In 2013 , my friend bought a 6 month old purebred puppy for $2,500. He bought him as a pet, not to be bred. At 7years of age, he was stolen and used to sire a total of 8 purebred puppies. The puppies were then sold for $3,000 each. His dog could have continued to sire more puppies for at least 2... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 24, 2021

An expert in that breed of dog with knowledge of the market price considering the age, gender, and quality would have to testify.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: my dog who is chipped in my name all vet records are in my name was stolen from ca and taken to Indiana what can I do?

A former friend moved to California from Indiana and I agreed to let her stay with us. She stayed with me for 8 months. There started to be issues in the household and finally it got to the point that she attacked me and to prevent further problems I left the house to go calm down I was gone for... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 23, 2021

Report the dog as stolen to the particular police department in Indiana. If that isn't effective, you would need to retain Indiana attorneys to initiate a replevin action, or perhaps that can be done in Indiana Small Claims. Consult with an Indiana attorney for more specific information.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Dog was chipped - Shelter did NOT contact owner before adopting out. How to sue for replevin?

Dog was reported missing to chip company (AVID). All contact info updated. Dog was not located. Fastforward to a year later, AVID contacts owner to say that someone is trying to register the chip in the dog to themselves. Says they adopted from a shelter. This is the 1st contact from AVID that the... View More

Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
answered on Feb 21, 2021

You should check your state law to see if shelters have immunity from liability as long as they post a dog as found on their website for whatever the statutorily required time frame. In Colorado where I practice public and private shelters are supposed to hold pets a minimum of 3 days if no ID, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Stolen dog in small claims dog; police refuse to get involved

my friends dog has now been stolen TWICE by the same family. She has the paperwork, Bill of sale, and the dog is chipped, but the police said all they could do was make the family return the dog collar but not the dog. The dog managed to get away from the family the first time we got her back and... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Feb 6, 2021

If the police say you need to go to small claims, then that is what you need to do. You cannot control the future actions of other people. Sue for $10,000, and if they destroy the dog, you can make them pay full value. Unfortunate but that is all you can do. If seeking money, small claims can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Can I sue my landlord for making me get rid of my dog and then after I did she told me I didnt have to

I lived in my apartment for 7 years I had my dog for 10 years she's on my lease and she's a companion. My property manager made everyone sign a new lease and mine was the only one with a pet policy that said I had to pay $926 for my pet or put in a 30 day notice my rent does not even cost... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Feb 6, 2021

Possibly for Intentional Infliction of emotional distress. Can you get the dog back? Too bad you did not seek legal assistance before disposing of the dog.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: A dog was being watched he then gave my dog to someone else who won't return it what do I do

I was told he was going to allow just for a day since his dog and my dog were not getting along I called he hung up on me after I said bring him back now he is with another person who says he is keeping him because his dog recently just died and he likes him this is insane its my dog

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 23, 2021

Call the police. Consult with a Nevada lawyer. Small Claims might be an option if Nevada allows for an Order to return property and not just a money judgment, although you might be entitled to both.

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law, Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: spraying raid into my room all day and night my cat and i are physically ill do i speak w/ a personal injury lawyer
William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 18, 2021

If you sprayed an insecticide into your room all day and night and then became ill, it sounds like you made yourself sick. You should go to the doctor before you even think about talking to an attorney. If someone else is responsible for spraying Raid, then that person might be responsible,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: How to claim ownership of a dog i bought

I bought a male dog from a girl she claims that i made an agreement to give her a pup if my female dog had some from him. Never was there an agreement not even written but instead she asked if i would be interested in donating one, i always said i would ask my family. My dog only had 2 pups which... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 12, 2021

Get the dog and pups licensed in your name. Wait for the Small Claims lawsuit, or Superior Court lawsuit, where she claims ownership. Defend it.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: My daughters dog was at my house and the dog was able to get out and bit the fed ex man. What should I do

I called my mortgage insurance but they have. Or told me if they will cover it

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 7, 2021

Notify your homeowners insurer and cooperate with it. Also, expect a call from Animal Control, and cooperate with it.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Person found a dog, they also located the owner - but the finder now refuses to return it to the owner

The dog was found at Joshua Tree park, the finder proceeded to take the dog and drive it 150 miles away to the San Diego area. The finder then was made aware of a Lost Dog report posted on a Joshua Tree radio station site that matched the dogs description. It was confirmed the dog he found was the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 2, 2021

Call the police. Report the dog stolen. If the police won't intervene, sue in Small Claims court. You can sue for an Order to return property, and you can also seek a money judgment for "loss of use" of your property at a daily rate for the reasonable rental value. That is going... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: A person gave us his dog and saids if I don't pay he will get him Sat .of this week can he do that the dog has no papers

he saids he owns him still there is no contact I signed I called the sheriff office they said it's a civil issue and said if he shows up I can have them come over to my house and they will tell him to leave does he still have rights since he rehomed him to us

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 31, 2020

If the dog was given to you, then it's yours. If you were supposed to pay for the dog and did not, then you are guilty of theft.

3 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Medical Malpractice and Small Claims for California on
Q: Hi I had taking my female mix labrore. retreiver in for xrays and asonicgram soon as I got their they came out with gu

By law Ithe vets cant keep me from being with my pet at they exam yeah well the did and they did not want to give her back and called police on me his my witness he was shocked how they treated me and was very worry about me driving home

Wen he realised they just killed my dog and by law... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 21, 2020

I've never heard of the law that says that you cannot be excluded while the vet is examining your dog. As far as the ashes, if you paid for them, and are otherwise current in your account with the vet, you are entitled to your property. This would be a Small Claims case as the ashes are... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: My sister in laws dog had puppies with my dog while living in my home.

Question was answered very rudely. It was just a question.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 19, 2020

You can't steal a minor's dog because you think you will be a better owner. If you want it that badly, buy it from her.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: If I purchase a dog and it lived in a friends house who placed themselves as owner and me as co-owner. Who’s dog is it?

Our agreement being, I buy the dog in full and he watches/takes care of the dog at his place. He takes it upon himself to register the dog under his name as the owner and my name as the co-owner even tho he did not buy the dog. He wants to end our agreement (1 1/2 Years) and pay me what I paid for... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 13, 2020

He doesn't become an owner by (falsely?) registering the dog under his name. He becomes an owner because you seem to have a deal where you share ownership of the dog. If that is the case, he can't force you to take his money, but then you have a never ending problem over sharing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Can an Indian casino not allow you in because you don’t have shot records for your service dog?

I was denied entrance into an Indian casino because I did not have shot records for my legal service dog

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 10, 2020

It is allowable under the ADA for educational institutions to request verification of vaccinations. Without several hours spent in legal research, I cannot confirm that a casino can do the same.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: If someone pets my dog without permission, and my dog bites them, can I be held liable?

I

Theodore Allan Greene
Theodore Allan Greene
answered on Dec 7, 2020

Probably not but more information is needed to properly answer your question. If it has already happened you should consult with a local attorney who knows the local laws regarding such a situation.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: I have been caring for a dog from someone who is irresponsible, is there any way that I can claim the dog for myself?

We were in a relationship and bought the dog together, I had ended up evicting her from my house and we were no longer together, and I've been caring for the dog for 2 months alone now, but we've had the dog since July, making it now 6 months, is there any way that I can fully claim... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 4, 2020

You do not get to own someone else's dog because they are a bad owner. If you bought the dog together, that makes you and her co-owners, which means that she cannot claim the dog for herself. At best, she would be entitled to equal time with the dog. How would she achieve that? The police... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption and Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: I adopted a dog from a personal rescuer. The dog gave birth to babies. What's the ownership of these babies?

We signed a contract when I adopted the dog. The contract only mentioned that I cannot transfer ownership of the dog. The dog was pregnant before I adopted her and then she gave birth to the babies one month after I signed the contract. I have taken care of them. Now the rescuer insists that the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 3, 2020

What does the contract say about puppies? If it doesn't say anything, then you probably own them. Ask her to specify the exact provision in the contract that has been breached.

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