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New Jersey Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims, Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: i live in nj and bought a puppy from someone in north carolina who advertised her as akc registered, she is not.

i never got a contract but agreed to 4 puppies back. she will not provide me with proof of akc reg. she is also now saying she does not owe half the vet bills relating to delivery. i told her it would have to be 2 puppies this litter 2 puppies next litter. she is threatening court. where would... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Aug 2, 2018

This is not the type of transaction that you should engage in long distance. If she does chose to sue you, it would be in NC. A signed contract is not essential to this matter. Threatening to sue someone is easy, actually doing it successfully is not.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: My dog was stolen, I know who took him and about where the person lives, my local police say theft of an animal

is a civil matter not a criminal one and there is nothing can do, is that correct?

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on May 12, 2018

In general a dog is considered personal property, it is not a person.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: I found a lost dog and i thought i was being a good Samaritan now the shelter is tryi g to get me i trouble ?

What are my rights .

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on May 11, 2018

A dog like a cell phone when found is generally another persons property so you cannot keep it and must turn it in. If that is your problem and you get charged hire a criminal lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: Got summons for court for leash law. My dog broke off leash and bit other dog. Other dog bit me
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Mar 15, 2018

The only fact that is relevant here for the court is whether your dog was on a leash or not. If your looking for a defense you should at least speak with a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: I left my dog in my old apartment while moving for a few hours he got stuck bedroom and cops came and removed him

Neighbors called the cops for him crying as he locked himself in the room while I was at my new apartment unpacking I returned about 6 hours later and he was gone what do I do ? The police said there was feces and pee on the floor and are trying to give me an animal cruelty charge but simply he... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Mar 8, 2018

More information is needed, but you need to hire a lawyer generally this charge comes with up to 180 days in jail, $1000 fine and probation and community service. Most of us criminal lawyers offer a free in office consultation, I suggest you set one up ASAP.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: What's the legal cause I can take a cat away from someone not capable of caring for him?

My mom has been helping a woman with Parkinson's. She has a dog and a cat. She was hospitalized for 10 days and the pets stayed with us at our house. She left the hospital AMA today and went back to her (disgusting) apartment and we had to give her the pets back. I want to find a reason I can... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Feb 18, 2018

You can contact the local SPCA office, but it also may get her in trouble and animals are great for people recovering from medical problems.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for New Jersey on
Q: My cousin lives in NJ and was biten by a dog. The dog also attached two children who were getting on the school bus.

the owner of the dog is a renter with no insurance, can she sue the homeowner? This man owns 3 pitbulls and they came in a pact though only one bit my cousin. She is 67 and does not know what to do

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Jan 29, 2018

First she needs to call the police and have that dog listed a viscous dog, as for who she can sue I suggest that she contacts a personal injury lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Contracts for New Jersey on
Q: Can an adoption agency really come on my property anytime to inspect conditions of an adopted animal per contract?

Want to adopt an animal and we have glowing references and should have no problem adopting but the agency not only wants a video tour of our home (to be viewed by strangers we've never met) but also writes into their contract that they have the right to come on our property any time in the... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Dec 20, 2017

Maybe and probably yes, if you give them the right to do it, but a lawyer would need to read the contract to tell you what your rights and liabilities would be under the agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Domestic Violence and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: tenant got arrested &restraining order put on him . He left behind animals can I have the humane society come get them?

The tenant was arrested for a domestic violence against myself and has previous history of terroristic threats towards myself and others.

Marcel Wurms
Marcel Wurms
answered on Dec 4, 2017

Yes, you should call them or a shelter immediately. If your town has an animal control officer, you can contact them. The police department could also possibly help you.

Disclaimer: The provided information is for informational purposes only. This should not be construed as the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims, Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can a veterinarian make you apply for a credit card before working out a payment plan if you refuse the card app?

I had a sick dog and the vet was willing to see the dog. I explained I couldn't afford the bill this month but I would be able to pay it off next month (which I have done this before with my vet and they never had a problem with doing this), only this time, I was told that I had to apply for... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Nov 30, 2017

The fact is by law the vet does not need to offer you a payment plan and can demand payment at or before services are rendered, thus anything that allows you payment after service is as a courtesy.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: Was it legal of my landlord to give me less than a week to get rid of my dog?

I live in an apartment in NewJersey. I have received a letter from my landlord telling my to get rid of my service dog in less than a week or else i will be evicted, is this legal? Can i take legal action against my landlord?

Marcel Wurms
Marcel Wurms
answered on Aug 25, 2017

Landlords may not evict a tenant who houses a qualified service dogs.

You can disregard the letter. If he does take you to court, bring your medical diagnosis and the dog's certification.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: Is there anyway to get my dog back from my ex-neighbor who legally took my dog during a move? We've had him for 3+ yrs.

I have had this dog for over 3yrs, my sister even has papers stating he is ours but during a moving situation (house to house) our ex-neighbor (whom is on drugs.) Legally took our dog. What can we do?!

Michael Andrew Conte
Michael Andrew Conte
answered on Aug 11, 2017

I would try first asking him for the dog. If that doesn't work, bring your papers to the police and tell them what happened. They may assist you retrieve your dog and/or at least investigate further.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: i got my now ex-fiance a dog for his bday. On the dog's adoption, it has my name. Do i have any rights to see him?

Although he was a gift we always said he was our dog. I was always mom and he was always dad. We both took care of him but now after the break up he doesn't let me see him. He always stayed with him as my house was in renovations. So his main living arrangement was at his house. But i would... View More

William N. Sosis
William N. Sosis
answered on Jun 15, 2017

You really need to think hard about how much you want to see the dog. Since you were never married, the dog is not marital property and therefore not something you should pursue. Realize that you have no "rights" to the dog (even if s/he has your name). And, if it's not too... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for New Jersey on
Q: MY NEABORS DOG RUNS AROUD THE FENCE AND TRYS TO ATTACK MY WIFE AND DAUTER MY DAUTER IS TRAUMTISED BY THE SITUATION

THE DOG OWNER CALLS THE DOG BACK TO HIS YARD AND TELLS IT GOOD GIRL.

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Jun 11, 2017

Unfortunately you need an injury/damages to have a PI case but maybe one for harassment.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I care of someone's dog for a set period and they won't comeback for him, is that animal cruelty and can call police?
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on May 20, 2017

Maybe only a judge can determine that, but here is a question for you. What if the person states he gave you the dog?

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: A breeder gave me her dog over a year ago to keep. Now she is saying she wants it back. I'm not willing to do that.

The dog and I are very close and he is happy. She gave him up to me because she had no more room in her kennels and wanted him to have a better life. She has the paperwork, but for the past year he has lived with me and I have taken care of him. Including vet visits.

William N. Sosis
William N. Sosis
answered on Mar 26, 2017

You have some rights here based on your description of the facts. Feel free to contact me for a free phone consultation.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for New Jersey on
Q: My now ex spouse put down our dog without my permission. Is this illegal?

She did this while the divorce was in progress. I couldn't take the dog at the time because of my living situation, I would have liked to have the dog now that I could have.

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 26, 2017

She would not need your permission. If the dog was that ill, there was probably no alternative.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Estate Planning and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: Had a medical note for dog.Someone new bought the complex I live in and say I cant have him even with note is that legal

I got the note before the new owners arrived and there are many others like me. They say they need to be gone soon even though we have medical reasons to have them. Is that legal for them to do? How can we move in time with a animal? It seems messed up

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 16, 2016

Contact the humane society. Many states give some protection. Check also with a tenants rights attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: I'm just a tenant who shares the premises with two other tenants one of my tenants has 2 dogs

We have access to the backyard I'm the superintendent who cleans it she knows we just cleaned it and she allowed her to dogs to go back there and poop and she doesn't even bother to pick it up what is our rights she's not even supposed to have dogs here the lease says no dogs which... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 21, 2016

Contact a landlord-tenant on how to proceed, but it is the landlord, not you who should be pursing this.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: My dog and a neighbors dog had a fight. Both dogs were off leash,m and both we're off property. Thet want me to pay vet?

My dog slipped out the door when I was bring in groceries. The other dog had been walking with its owner but not on a leash. The dogs were originally playing until the girl intervened and then it turned into a fight. My dog is not aggressive and is exposed to other dogs regularly since I work at... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Jun 13, 2016

Sounds like you should see a lawyer this is not a simple question that can be answered over the internet such as should I get a will. However, if your dog did bite the girl and they can prove it you will owe a lot more money than a vet bill.

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