Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My neighbor's Doberman came into my yard and bit my 10 lb Pomeranian on the neck, resulting in my dog's death. My dog was on a leash being held at the time. The incident cost me $800 plus additional expenses. The Sheriff came out, and I have a police report, but Animal Control did not... View More 
answered on Mar 3, 2025
Unless you were on your neighbor's property, the Doberman was NOT under its owner's control when it attacked your dog, so your neighbor IS responsible. Animal control CANNOT choose not to respond to an animal attack. Go to animal control and demand that they prepare a report. Did the... View More
I need assistance with a civil matter involving my ex, who took my German Shepherd from a friend's backyard while she was fostering her in September 2023 in Olney, IL. The police directed me to animal control, which performed a wellness check and deemed the dog safe but advised it was a civil... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
I’m really sorry you’re going through this—it’s heartbreaking to be separated from a pet, especially when you've cared for them for years. In Illinois, dogs are considered personal property under the law, which means your case becomes a matter of proving ownership in civil court. Since... View More
As a tenant, I am concerned about my rights regarding landlord entry and having an emotional support animal. My lease specifies that pets require landlord approval, but there are no specific terms concerning assistance animals. I haven't discussed this with my landlord yet, and I have possible... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Illinois, tenants have the right to have an emotional support animal (ESA) under the Fair Housing Act, even if the lease states that pets require approval. Emotional support animals are not considered pets under the law, and landlords cannot refuse them simply because they have a "no... View More
I am located in Illinois. My neighbor's dog broke into my property and killed my two dogs inside my house after breaking through my back fence. I have documented evidence, including video footage and a police report. I've contacted animal control multiple times about this dog. I tried... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you've been through a very difficult situation, and it's understandable that you want full compensation for the damages caused. Since you have documented evidence, including video footage and a police report, you are in a strong position to pursue compensation. In Illinois,... View More
I live in a town where the local police department, fire department, and EMS use emergency vehicles with lights and sirens to escort a basketball team through town under the guise of tradition, even for games they didn't win. This occurs late at night (previously at 11 PM, recently at 9 PM)... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
The legality of emergency vehicles escorting basketball teams depends on your local and state laws governing emergency vehicle operations and exemptions to noise ordinances. Emergency vehicles are typically granted exemptions from traffic and noise regulations only when responding to genuine... View More
I was detained for 50 days, and during my detention, my dog was stolen from my house, reportedly by my former girlfriend. Before my detention, my dog was registered to me, and I have documentation of the microchip and vet records. My ex-girlfriend initially communicated that she would return him... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
Your situation is tough, but you have strong legal standing with the microchip registration and vet records establishing ownership of your dog. As pets are legally considered property, you can file a police report for theft, which creates an official record of the situation even if police... View More
Sept 2023: I wasn't listed on the lease by name, landlord said he'd renew lease in my name if I got rid of my service dog and her accidental litter. I explained the pups would be adopted but mama is my registered service dog. When I left, he had 3 people break in and steal mom and pups... View More
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answered on Aug 3, 2024
It sounds like you’ve been through a very challenging situation. Since the local police didn’t handle the case effectively, you might consider reaching out to state-level authorities or the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. They can provide guidance on how to proceed with your complaint and... View More
Had video proof of being made to leave with service dog and more but was given a disadvantage by the state investagor of the claim, and was dismissed with strong bias for the acting party. They allowed them to submit altered video to give benifit yet would not tell me how. Did appeal yet fedex... View More
answered on Sep 28, 2023
You should appeal. In doing so, it is important you retain a competent attorney experienced in appealing this type of case. Appellate practice is very technical and many trial attorneys do not practice appellate law. Pro se appellants very rarely win because of the degree of knowledge, skill,... View More
It happened when I was out of town, so they sneaked over. Totally out of character for my daughter, but I'm not surprised my ex was involved and driving the getaway vehicle!
answered on Jul 8, 2023
As pets are considered property in IL, you should start with filing a police report. Then to regain the property, you will have to file the matter in court against your ex and your daughter.
And I told her I would keep him until she could move & find a place where she could keep him. In the meantime I called the guy she purchased him from and let him know about the situation and he said he was coming to get the dog if she couldn’t keep him. So my daughter just took him back to... View More
answered on Oct 27, 2022
She may be able to sue him, but because your question pertains to an area of animal/dog law in which I do not practice, I will leave it to other practitioners to answer more substantively. Hopefully one of them does respond soon to your inquiry.
Her dog would not let go of my dogs neck.
My dog ran home which was two houses down from the incident with the dog attached to him.
Neighbors came out trying to help get the dog off of mine.
I have paid her vet bill 1,200
And mine which has cost me about $4,000 and... View More
answered on Jun 1, 2022
Your instincts are correct. Your dog got out of its collar and caused injury to the other dog. When your dog got out of its collar, it was out of your control and any injury or damage that resulted is your responsibility. If the woman who was walking the other dog injured her finger, you are... View More
answered on Sep 10, 2021
I do not practice in the State of Georgia, however, if you contact the Georgia Superior Court clerk directly you may request a template or example of that legal document for your purposes.
Also, the Clerk may refer you the the court Referral Desk where there could be a possibility to find... View More
answered on May 27, 2021
Wrongful Death law only applies to human beings.
I am a dog lover so I do not tell you this lightly. In the law, a dog is a chattel - it is only worth the fair market value of another dog so, at most, you would file a Small Claims case. Though we treat them like family and grieve their... View More
We paid a friend to watch our dogs while we left to go to Maryland for the holidays ,but after we left he told us he got his dog from some lady who left it outside in the cold,and now he's not responding to our text or calls
answered on Nov 27, 2020
Yes you can sue. You might also be able to report these people to animal control for animal cruelty.
Found an add on Craigslist for a cat, the person contacted me and we met up she gave us the cat than we gave her $100 for the cat. She was also abusing the cat and force feeding it with a turkey baster, I doubt it has every been to the vet with all the isssues she has and we have put over $200+... View More
answered on Nov 25, 2020
If you have a receipt, show that receipt to the police and tell them that the cat is yours. If you do not have a receipt, hopefully there was an independent witness with you when you purchased the cat. If so, have that witness speak to the police and tell them that you purchased the cat. If not,... View More
answered on Nov 23, 2020
No. It is not. It’s covered by the FHA which is a federal law.
We had a roommate that took my dog from my home, he gave her to a woman nearby. They both deny this but I seen my dog in the woman's window, police won't help because no one else can verify she's there. The woman doesn't let the dogs outside they use the bathroom inside so I... View More
answered on Sep 17, 2020
Take a picture of the dog in the window of the woman and take it to the police to confirm your story. Try to do this without standing on the woman's property. You could sue to get the dog back, but you will still need proof that the woman has the dog. You will also need to prove that you own... View More
The older man has let this dog run amuck on his unfenced property and on one occasion the dog came back after being shot. The dog is not neutered or microchipped. The man lives alone and has a bad knee injury and can barely walk or drive. He gave me all the paperwork on the dog. I planed to do... View More
answered on Jul 21, 2020
If he gave you the dog, then the dog is yours and he legally can't get it back unless you agree to give the dog back.
it was a trial period of a possible adoption of my 2 parakeets, I had rescued them, had them 18 months, worked with them as they were abused. I gave a woman a trial period with stipulations...that either she keep my large cage or i would purchase one she liked but had to have specific... View More
My dog went in to get fixed and they cut off his "thumbs" I call them on his back foot without asking me. Now he has to wear bandages and I have to take him back so they can inspect his wounds. I was not told about this nor was I expecting it.
answered on Jul 15, 2020
No, that is not legal. That sounds like animal abuse/cruelty and/or veterinary malpractice. I can not think of a single medical reason to remove a part of a dog's podal anatomy (foot anatomy).
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