Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Our neighbor has been spreading lies about our dogs for years. Saying they were viscous, they have attacked them, etc. Our dog got into some trouble and their lies caused the situation to escalate quickly and resulted in our dog being taken away for 6 weeks, and going through a whole ordeal. In... View More 
answered on Jun 8, 2021
Unfortunately, no because Colorado views dogs as property so that would be like suing for defamation for someone spreading lies about your couch. But you will need representation if you have been cited for a criminal violation by animal control. If you can prove your neighbors engaged in abuse of... View More
Friend drops off dog in January or February of this year. Since then the dogs anxiety of missing owner kicked in forcing us to purchase 2 dog cones by now to prevent excessive licking of paws. Both broke. We've contacted owner saying either to pick up the dog or schedule a vet appointment so... View More
The contract we signed stated in the event of relinquishment, we are required to return the dog to the rescue. Legally, how long does the rescue have to accept the dog back? It's been 2 months since we contacted them. While they may be overwhelmed, this isn't a good situation all around... View More
answered on Apr 21, 2021
They are most likely overwhelmed. But that does not excuse them from their contact. Keep trying. In the meantime, if you’re reasons for relinquishment are behavioral, consider hiring a trainer or see if there’s dog has underlying health issues like an undescended testicle or something otherwise... View More
answered on Apr 20, 2021
Are you asking if you can poison a dog or shoot it for getting into your trash? I would say either would fall under animal cruelty laws. I would suggest you get a better trash receptical.
The dogs are aggressive and chase me and my dog who is on a leash beside me. I’m afraid to leave my apt. What do I do?
answered on Apr 15, 2021
Yes. Service animals are required to be under the owner’s control at all times. So the dog cannot chase and attack you and be exempt from the law. Such behavior could fall under Colorado’s dangerous dog statute. If you are being chased or attacked by any dog, regardless of designation, you can... View More
My dad has a great Pyrenees Moutain dog. The dog lives outside to protect the chickens. Animal control has come to confirm that he has, food, water, shelter, and updates on his shots. We provided all of this and they said we are good But someone in our neighborhood is constantly calling in about... View More
answered on Mar 30, 2021
Your dad is being lied to. Have him submit a Colorado Open Records Request (most have a form on their websites) to the law enforcement entity(s) asking for all records of all complaints related to his address for the past year. Those are PUBLIC records and more importantly they are records... View More
The dog back now. My mom only has texts from him saying “she’s yours you can keep her” but she is afraid that isn’t enough and he may come for the dog either legally or by force. What do we do?
answered on Mar 10, 2021
The text messages give your mom a very strong case. I would highly recommend she speak to an animal attorney to help her.
I moved in my new place a month ago and my neighbors dog craps in my yard every day, I told them to stop before and nothing, so I called the cops and nothing, after it continued for a week after the first call I called again and this officer told me it’s not his problem and I need to go confront... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2021
There are usually municipal ordinances that cover this type of habitual behavior, which are usually handled by animal control or code enforcement. If you have am HOA they also probably regulate this. But you’ll need proof which means videotaping the act as many times as you can as well as (as... View More
This person has killed their own pets, for reasons ranging from genuinely putting a pet out of its own misery, to the pet peeing around the house too much. It's deeply disturbing, but is there a law in Colorado regulating what methods of at-home euthanasia are allowed? If so, how would this... View More
answered on Feb 5, 2021
Generally speaking, animal owners can dispose of their animals however they see fit, so long as it doesn't create unnecessary pain or suffering (i.e., shooting the dog and letting it bleed to death, instead of a "kill shot", or drowning). That said, I would recommend gathering... View More
house again. The rabbit hasn't hurt anybody and the only problem that they've mentioned is uncleanliness. Is there any legal basis behind that or is he bluffing?
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answered on Feb 1, 2021
He has no grounds to press charges, however if your girlfriend's father has no custodial responsibilities for her, he has no obligation to allow her or the rabbit to come into the home. If he does have custodial responsibilities, he still has no legal obligation to allow the rabbit into the... View More
My roommate needs to file an appeal for a court case she has involving our dog but she is away at treatment and can’t physically be present at court. What power of attorney can I use granting me permission to file the appeal on her behalf?
answered on Jan 12, 2021
There is probably not anything you can do to get a POA for her if she is not suffering from a medical debilitation. She needs to contact an attorney to file the appeal. She can give you permission to do it for her, but the attorney will probably need to see something in writing. You should double... View More
from the animal shelter, name, phone, address, etc., and has called me wanting the dog back. I clearly said no. He claims his ex wife gave the dog away to the shelter and he didn’t find out until 4 months later. He has since sued me and the animal shelter for custody of the dog. The dog is... View More
answered on Jan 2, 2021
You will definitely need to defend yourself in the Court action and prove ownership. WRT your safety I recommend considering a Protective Order. You should contact an attorney to discuss this matter in more detail so that the specific facts of our case can be reviewed and you can receive detailed... View More
week to check on them and was told they were fine. When they were picked up the older cat was visibly sick and died 2 days later. Any recourse?
answered on Nov 30, 2020
Yes, you’ll need to act quickly to get any surveillance footage from the facility. Most security footage is only stored for 10-14 days depending on the system. Having an attorney write a letter to preserve the evidence and a demand letter after an investigation into what happened can help either... View More
Bought a puppy in Colorado. Drove a 1k miles (roundtrip) and they gave me the dog. Two days later they inform me it's the wrong one and want it back. I say no - family already bonded. They then reported the microchip on the dog stolen which is different from the one on the contract.... View More
answered on Nov 29, 2020
That definitely sounds like an awful mess! It sounds like you’re going to need an attorney to help you fight this because you have some good defenses if it’s in small claims court. You also have some good defenses based on what you described, no matter what court the breeder takes you.
She’s refusing to let me feed my dog (who she signed over to me) what I feel is best for him. She said she will throw away the food (which if I’m understanding is my property) and refuses to feed THE DOG FOOD to my dog if I ask her to feed him. She also refuses to accept that my dog eats 1x per... View More
answered on Nov 12, 2020
Do you live with your mother? I would suggest moving out and taking your dog with you and then the problem is solved. Otherwise, I think you need to talk to a landlord/tenant attorney since this is not really an animal law issue.
answered on Nov 12, 2020
Unfortunately, no, there is not. People can more or less treat their dogs like trash under the Denver municipal code. Contact your city representative to get the law changed.
We both have text and emails going back and forth changing our minds.I fell trick because she knew my manic depression
answered on Nov 12, 2020
If you can't work something out, one of you will have to sue in court for possession.
She works 10-12 hours a day, 5-7 days a week, and will not have time to properly care for, nor train the animal. She has been told she has 48 hours to get rid of the animal. Both myself and the third housemate are allergic to dogs and do not wish to care for the animal. If she refuses to get rid of... View More
answered on Nov 12, 2020
No, you cannot remove or euthanize or do anything to the animal. You have absolutely zero authority to do anything to the animal. Try evicting the roommate, that is a more humane and normal part of life than killing someone else's dog. Or, you could also always move out, too.
I have filled for replevin in court. I have his adoption papers, Neuter and rabies certificates and microchip registration all in my name In retaliation for the replevin she has filed for a temporary restraining order stating I pushed her. I only want my dog back. Is there anything else I can do?
We are looking to buy 3.25 acres of land in la plata county Colorado. The covenants forbid chickens and cows but are from the 1970s and no longer enforced. We want to raise a few animals for personal use. Is there a way to protect ourselves moving forward? If someone decides to now enforce these... View More
answered on Nov 12, 2020
You will have to appeal to your local zoning board to get the property rezoned. I would recommend consulting with a real estate attorney
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