Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I reported when stolen, they couldn’t help me even though I told them he was going to be killed. When I found my dog, filed a report, contacted animal control but they were closed for holiday weekend. I had to retrieve my dog myself. How are they investigating if nobody ever went to the scene or... View More 
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answered on Nov 27, 2023
I am sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your dog. It is understandable that you are upset and frustrated with the way your case has been handled by law enforcement.
According to the Animal Welfare Act, all animal cruelty cases, including theft and animal killing, are supposed to be... View More
I am being sued by my neighbor because he is stating my dog killed 13 chickens of his and damaged 1. He has no proof of my dog killing his chickens and no proof of my dog on his property. He has a picture from from about 4-5 months prior to this of my dog wrapped around his tree because it broke... View More
answered on Jan 30, 2024
The burden of proof is on your neighbor since he brought the lawsuit. If he cannot prove his claims, his lawsuit will be dismissed.
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answered on Sep 13, 2023
If your dog was stolen, used in dog fights, and harmed, it's a distressing situation that requires immediate action. First, report the theft and animal abuse to your local law enforcement agency, providing them with all available information and evidence you have regarding the incident.... View More
I was attacked by my friend's roommates pitbull 2 weeks ago. I initially tried to take care of my injuries myself bec i dont have ins.
my wounds got infected and i had to get med attn but the homeowner says she has no homeowners insurance and is refusing to help me pay my medical... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2023
If someone owns a house, it is unusual to not have insurance, unless they have no mortgage at which point they can choose to no longer have insurance. The easiest way to find out if they have insurance is to hire an attorney who can compel them to provide insurance paperwork. If they own the house... View More
negligence of owner Ordering a food delivery( I’m told this would be inviting me on their property) and not securing their dog.Also If I fill out the company’s workers claim form ( which I believe primarily covers medical bills)for the incident does this limit my relief from the owner?... View More
answered on Nov 8, 2022
It is always preferable to settle a case short of filing a lawsuit. Lawsuits are expensive, time consuming, and stressful. In dog bite cases, a good first step is to learn the identity of the homeowner's insurer. If the homeowner will provide that information, you can then file a claim with... View More
Me and my ex recently broke up and just a couple months before he purchased a puppy claiming he bought it for me. His name is on the adoption form because I was not there for the adoption and he did pay for it. I was the main caretaker of the puppy. He only ever paid for things. All of the vet... View More
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answered on Jul 11, 2022
A dog is considered personal property. Sharing a dog with an ex is a recipe for disaster. I suggest you adopt a new dog from a shelter.
A friend of a client asked about the client's dog's health condition. A receptionist gave the friend information regarding the dog's health, however the only information given was the diagnosis of the dog's health condition. The client was unhappy that her dog's diagnosis... View More
answered on Oct 12, 2021
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) that governs privacy when it comes to human medical care does not apply to veterinary patients. However, Georgia has a statute on point, O.C.G.A. 24-12-31(a) which provides [n]o veterinarian licensed under Chapter 50 of Title 43 shall... View More
Can my cousin legally give my dog away. He pays for the food and has for the past 6 months and I rarely have a chance to visit my dog. He can't take care of it any more and I can't take it with me. I have no one else who will watch it. I don't want to lose my dog tho.
answered on Sep 27, 2021
Its really a question of "who owns the dog" and not "where is the dog allowed. You need to determine who is the actual owner and that owner gets to decide what happens with the animal. Animals are chattel/property in GA.
My daughter received several lacerations, puncture wounds, an ankle sprain, had to have stitches, is currently having to receive a series of rabies vaccinations, lost her glasses, and her phone was broken. The dogs had gotten loose from the fenced in area of property the owner inhabits. My daughter... View More
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answered on Aug 15, 2021
You have a claim against the dog owner. More information is needed to determine if that claim is likely to be successful. You should consult an attorney for more guidance in this matter.
Gates were locked. Fence made from approved height specs for horses. Added electric was up and secure across top food water hay available. Ran in front of car killed one injured euthanized other. No bodily injury to driver, moderate vehicle damage . Cited 2 counts of animal at large. Whitfield... View More
answered on Jul 31, 2021
I advise working out restitution with the owner of the damaged property and then asking them to support you in requesting. dismissal of the charges. You appeared to act reasonably and accidents happen. At the same time there is strict liability in most animal ownership issues. I imagine,... View More
I am being targeted by the HOA and they are finding me exorbitant amount for my dog being off leash along with other matters of misconduct and abusing board member Authority. I honestly need a pro bono attorney in Atlanta that I can talk to because this is going to get ugly. I have a medical... View More
answered on Apr 14, 2021
If you are seeking a free attorney or one who will charge reduced rates, I would contact legal aid in your area or I would contact the local and state bar association and ask them if they have a list of attorneys in your area who would consider taking your case on a pro bono basis or at a reduced... View More
We both urinated and had bowel movement & now he is scared to death to get in a vehicle, I didn't go to the er due to being unsanitary & in shock. Now I can't hardly breathe in, my chest plate is injured, I can't hardly move my right arm up to my breast plate.
My RT... View More
answered on Feb 12, 2021
It sounds like you had a serious car accident that was not your fault. Given your injuries, you need to consult with a personal injury attorney immediately.
My dog had cataract surgery whereas the surgeon really screwed up his eyes and made him worse than before the surgery. My dog never recovered from the procedure and untimely passed away shortly after. I had made several complaints against the surgeon to the clinic and the surgeon herself after... View More
answered on Jan 10, 2021
I have been practicing law for approximately 20 years and I am not aware of any attorneys who regularly handle veterinarian malpractice cases. In fact, I cannot think of a single example.
In your case, I suppose you could sue the veterinarian for malpractice but you would have to show... View More
My sister purchased a puppy, unfortunately within a week the puppy was injured. To be clear the puppy was injured at her home in her care. My husband and I visited her home to which we found the puppy limping. Long story short we made an agreement that we would take the puppy off her hands if she... View More
My father died, leaving his pet without a designated owner in the Will; he mentioned to me before he died that the pet dog was mine; saying, "Blackie is yours." My father said that at least three times to me and other(s). I lived with my parents for the preceding almost three years,... View More
answered on Oct 7, 2020
Unfortunately, your assumption of ownership of the dog will not entitle you to any more of the estate. The dog, according to GA law, is merely property.
Given a cat for Christmas almost 4 years ago cat was adopted in GA but person who adopted her from the shelter was an Alabama resident. He adopted her (official papers) and unofficially gave her to me as a Christmas gift, Times have changed and he wants the cat back. I have receipts where I’ve... View More
answered on Aug 26, 2020
Going off of the facts that you have provided, it sounds as though the cat is yours. I would recommend holding on to the receipts for care that you mention, just in case he wanted to take this to court to try and get the cat back. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558
My boyfriend is a homeowner, but the occupants who live with him refuse to take care of their dog and wont let us help the dog. Refuses us to be able to get vaccinations, flea prevention, everything. A few years ago, the people who live with my boyfriend, picked this dog up off the street, and has... View More
answered on Aug 2, 2020
Georgia law provides "[a] person commits the offense of cruelty to animals when he . . . [h]aving intentionally exercised custody, control, possession, or ownership of an animal, fails to provide to such animal adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation that is consistent with... View More
My dog killed the neighbors goat. She’s not aggressive towards people or other animals.
answered on Jul 28, 2020
I don't really understand the question. Killing a goat is a destruction of property issue, so that may or may not be criminal. Whereas issues of vicious/aggressive/dangerous dogs are criminal. You might just be civilly liable for the value of the goat. Although, in some jurisdictions,... View More
I had the chance to reclaim them do they legally have to give me my dogs back or give me the names of the people who adopted them
answered on Jul 22, 2020
I’m sorry for your loss! That is absolutely abhorrent what your ex did.
In Colorado, once a shelter has a dog for 5 days and the dog goes unclaimed during that period, the shelter legally owns the dog. That’s set out my Colorado regulation. You might want to check if that is also the... View More
Incident happened in the common area of my condominium complex. Same thing happened two years ago but she continues to let the cat out to roam freely. I want to make sure nothing happens to my dog as he's never been aggressive towards humans or other dogs. Additionally, my wife and I are very... View More
answered on Jul 21, 2020
It's unlikely she would pursue anything because the cat was unsupervised and, generally speaking, the law could care less about cats, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it...). It's unlikely animal control or law enforcement would press charges against you. That... View More
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