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Colorado Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: While my ex and I were together I bought him a ferret to go with the two he and I had already. Things happened, and we

Broke up. I took my ferret, he kept his 2. Well the one I bought him as a gift ended up sick a month ago and he enlisted me to help him. I forced my ex to take the ferret to the vet and paid 80 of the vet bill and his aunt paid the remaining balance of 250. The ferret had swallowed some thing due... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Apr 22, 2020

If you gave him the ferret as a gift, then the ferret belongs to your ex and you can’t take him back - unless your ex gives you the ferret. Depending on where your ex lives he might be violating a city code for number of animals, so you could offer to take the ferret so the animal doesn’t get... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: If the smell of a llama causes a unusually allergic reaction to an adjacent neighbor can their be a remedy to alleviate

If someone has numerous llamas that stink a smell what can a neighbor do?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Apr 21, 2020

The neighbor can file what’s called a nuisance lawsuit against the neighbor with the llamas. It is a civil lawsuit that would have to be filed in District Court where the llama property is located.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Can I sue someone for defamation for making a false claim with animal services about my dog?

A neighbor called animal services on me about my dog who was tethered to our front porch while we were doing yard work. Their leash didn’t go past our yard/property and she claimed that my dog was encroaching the public side walk and being aggressive. I have physical and photo proof that my dog... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Apr 15, 2020

You could sue but you wouldn’t win unless you can prove how this speech damaged your reputation.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: I was sold a dog on craigslist that was not the breed they told me. Is this legal? They also flipped the dog

It where people sell dogs they bought at a low price for a high price. I only have the ladys phone number. I also payed with cash app.

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Apr 7, 2020

It could be fraud or misrepresentation. You could civilly. What do you mean they “flipped the dog”?

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My 8 month old puppy ran out of the house when my 15 year old daughter opened the door to take out the trash.

He ran up to a neighbor and barked. Now I have two misdemeanors for dog at large and dangerous dog for him “charging.” He’s a friendly dog and just wanted to play. He came right back as soon as I called him. What can I do?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 30, 2020

You really have to fight these kinds of charges because the consequences for you and your dog can be severe. I would recommend speaking to an attorney about your defenses.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: can animale control come 3 weeks after my dog allegiedly attacked a pony for quorintine

there was two dogs involved an only one was removed

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 29, 2020

Yes.

If you have been charged with dangerous/aggressive animal, you should speak to an attorney about your defenses because these are serious criminal charges with serious consequences for you and your dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My dog(110 lb) was playing with the neighbors dog(12lb) and hurt him by accident. Animal control came and checked my dog

And now my neighbor put her vet invoice on my door of 500$!! Am I required to pay it!?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 26, 2020

Not unless and until you are convicted or plead guilty to a charge of dangerous/aggressive dog (depending on the jurisdiction). If animal control charged you with a crime, if you plead or are found guilty, you would have to pay any vet bills as part of restitution to the criminal charge.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: So I just encountered the animal control . And we’ll they said one of my dogs were being beaten and malnourished.

This is false but the reason he showed up was because I guess my husband kicked him . When that was also false. I’m just worried they’ll come back and try to do something for false information... but I know we didn’t do anything wrong but refuse to let them see my dog what will happen??

Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
answered on Mar 16, 2020

Animal control officers can and will use deception while investing any number of complaints, even anonymous ones. I’ve had clients who were told the exact same thing, only to show their dog(s) to AC and have it seized for a completely different reason, for example to enforce a pit bull ban or to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: How can I get my puppy back if he was stolen from me?

January 31st so 6 weeks ago and 2 days my puppy was stolen out of my back yard at first I thought he ran out but a few weeks later one of the people who was watching out for my puppy found a girl who had posted him on her snap chat storey. So I was all like ok I will text her she lied and said that... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 15, 2020

Yes, call the police again and ask them to go to the address and bring the puppy back. If the person won’t cooperate, tell the police officer you want to press charges. If the police won’t get involved, then you will have to sue to get your puppy back.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: can animale control come 3 weeks after my dog allegiedly attacked a pony for quorintine

there was two dogs involved an only one was removed

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 14, 2020

Yes. If you were cited for dangerous or aggressive animal, you should talk to an animal attorney right away.

If your dog gets impounded, you only have 10 days to ask for a hearing to get him released. If he doesn’t get released in that time, you will be responsible for monthly costs of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Person stold my dog admits shes mine but says hes takes better care of her..will police give her back to me?

He has receits from vet microchip her & registered her with county in his name..done behind my back..ive had her for almost 10 years..shes my emotional support dog..i have texts & video of him admitting he stole her & that she belongs with me but he still wont give her back..if I go to... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 7, 2020

Possibly. You should call the police to find out. If they won’t help you’ll have to sue this person.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Can I be ticket in the state of Colorado for a dog that isn't mine

I was issued a citation be Animal Control for my girl friends dog when I don't even live at the residence and the Animal Control officer didn't even ask who the dog belonged to she wrote me the ticket because she asked me for my I.D. and I told her pursuent to Colorado law I am an... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 6, 2020

Yes you can be ticketed. The way the law is written, the owner or the custodian of the dog can be ticketed.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Can a veterinarian charge me for a spay when she was already fixed?

Vet saw the scar (really faint) and still cut her open with out calling me to confirm if I wanted to move forward. The dog is a rescue so there is not much history on her. The vet said she is still charging me for a spay since she had to try and find the uterus. I also did have a gastro pexi done.... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Mar 5, 2020

This sounds like veterinary malpractice...if your pet was already spayed prior to the procedure, then the vet should not have opened her up again. Typically, the scar in the place of the animal's reproductive area is enough for a vet to know that a spay had been previously performed.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Bit by a dog, questioning police involvement?

I was bit by a friend’s dog, (provoked, fairly minor puncture wound) and I went to a hospital to get it cleaned to avoid possible infection.... I did not report the dog but police are threatening to arrest if I do not give them information (address, name, etc). I do not want to cause any trouble... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 13, 2020

You don’t have to give them the information. Sounds like the police are being a bit overzealous and crazy. Technically, though, they could charge you with obstruction of justice, but it would be unlikely that they would do that because you are the victim of a crime and it would look bad if the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My neighbors dogs are fence aggressive. They're breaking through the fence and the owners refuse to address it

My neighbors own 5 german shepherds. They are fence aggressive and are tearing holes in our fence. I have spoken with them several times and they refuse to address the problem. Police and animal control say they will not do anything until someone is attacked. All complaints have been recorded for... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 12, 2020

You can sue them for a civil nuisance violation in small claims or county court. But that can be complicated. I recommend speaking with an attorney who can assist you with that situation.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Question about rescue wanting to spay/neuter dog early.

We fostered a dog who had puppies. We have raised the puppies and are keeping one. The rescue wants to neuter at only 3 months but my vet and the research says to wait a minimum of 6 months.

My girlfriend signed the foster agreement but I did not. We both signed an adoption agreement that... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 10, 2020

It is always difficult to answer a question without actually reading the entire contract, so this advice is limited to what you wrote in your question and should be taken as general advice ONLY and not as legal advice tailored to your situation. You should have a consultation with an attorney to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My mother took my dog from my home without my permission while going through a custody battle. She refuses she return he

She said she'd give her back when the children returned home. However now she says to much time has gone by and she won't return get although she had no reason to come take get to begin with. How can I get her back? Can I file a small claims lawsuit? Prove she's registered to me, had... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 10, 2020

Yes, you will have to sue her in county court under replevin. I would recommend having an attorney assist, but if you cannot afford one, legal aid might be able to help. You will have to ask them directly, though.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My dog was attacked by two other dogs their owner got in between the dogs and claims my dog bit her im facing charges

No witness to which dog actually bit her. The other two dogs have been known to be aggressive in the past. My dog is being deemed dangerous but he was the one attacked. Im facing charges for the altercation and i would like to know what defenses i have against these charges and if the other party... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 6, 2020

It would be best to get the discovery and meet with an attorney who can look over the discovery and provide you with the best idea for your defense. Dangerous dog charges are serious criminal charges that follow you and your dog. It’s best to talk to an attorney to protect you and your dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My dog is in 10 days quarantine, he has been falsely accused, no evidence of biting or even a skin scratch.

officer stated that if the dog gets other complaint it will be impounded. The office filed a claim against my dog without any evidence. the question is can this event be removed from my dog records? all this happens in City and County of Denver

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 5, 2020

The record follows you, not your dog. Either way, it can’t be removed. He should be released back to you at the end of the 10 day quarantine. If you had charges filed against you, or you don’t get your dog back, you should call an animal attorney to help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Stray dog in Colorado, how long before I can legally keep if I have reported to shelters and tried to find owners?

I found a skinny, matted stray dog in Colorado. Reported it to every local shelter, posted on Facebook and NextDoor, but no one has claimed her. Can I claim her as mine legally? Is there a period of time I need to wait? I'm not a licensed rescue.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Feb 3, 2020

Since dogs are considered property in Colorado and there is no specific "abandoned dog" statute, we have to look at the statute for abandoned property. The statute of limitations to legally claim abandoned or lost property in CO is 5 years. Obviously that is a long time in the life of a... View More

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