Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Drove 180 after talking with her about getting the dog she advertised for free then couple days later she demanding it back and gave me everything of the dog papers, toys, pool, leashes food. Trying to take me to court because she now wants it back. How is this legal to try taking dog back after... View More 
answered on Jul 31, 2020
Anybody can sue anyone for anything, including return of an animal, which is considered personal property. But to win in court, she would have to prove some breach of contract by you. If she files a lawsuit, you can go to the court hearing and explain your case. Or use the Find a Lawyer tab to... View More
Who is liable for the vet Bill's of my dog and my child who was bit, the rescue has refused to come get the dog several times after aggressive behavior from the person she stuck with the dog, the dog passed away in the attack. The dog was still owned by the indiana rescue, they abandoned the... View More
answered on Jul 24, 2020
It sounds like the dog has a new owner, not the rescue. That person would be liable unless the dog was still in the rescue's custody when the attack occurred.
She said i could have her back free now She wants money the lady said she didn't want her I had a mental break down made a terrible mistake I want my dog back is this even legal she clearly said well since I wanted her back I would have to pay her a bribe $200
answered on Jul 21, 2020
I don’t understand the question. If you made a mistake, and you want the dog back, then just pay her $200. If she isn’t going to love or care for the dog, or worse, give the dog to a shelter or someone who will abuse it, it would be better for you to take it back.
my dog got out of my house and ran to the neighbors house who has 3 dogs she likes to play along the fence with. My dog is non aggressive. But does bark at strangers. When she got out I ran straight after her trying to get her. There was a woman walking with her kids and while I was trying to get... View More
answered on Jul 2, 2020
The sheriff probably wants to serve you a summons. I don’t know for what, exactly. The only way to find out is to call the sheriff. You can hire an attorney to call the sheriff for you if you don’t want to talk to him/her. Or if you do call, DO NOT make any statements to the sheriff. Just... View More
Someone called saying it’s his dog. The son of the guy called said not to give it back to the father to keep him or give it to the son because he would take him. Not sure what to do. I still haven’t said we found him because of all of this. But they didn’t get him from the shelter from one... View More
answered on Jun 30, 2020
Keep your dog. You adopted it from a shelter, it's your dog now. If they continue to harass you, you can call the police on them.
2 years ago, my family was given a dog by a man who had taken her in. When he took her in, she was a stray, and he tried to find her family but never heard back from them. He couldn't care for her anymore, so we took her in and she's since very much become our dog. She was very obviously... View More
answered on Jun 30, 2020
You should be fine. Vets won't scan microchips unless you ask and they're not usually concerned with ferreting out that kind of thing.
If yes, would all legislation protecting companion animals be applicable to breeders? Are high volume breeders/puppy mills to be held accountable for animals cruelty?
answered on Jun 30, 2020
That's a complicated question that involves several different areas of law. If you have a specific concern, go ahead and give me a call. The short answer, is yes, usually.
answered on Jun 30, 2020
That depends on how you surrendered your dog, to whom you surrendered your dog, and whether he/she belongs to someone else now.
The fence is not sturdy either. I am afraid to be in my back yard or patio. Can they be told they need a taller and better fence?
answered on Jun 30, 2020
Nope. If they're on their property, they're well within the law. You can always chat with your neighbor and explain your concerns, or build your own fence.
I had a mental breakdown and gave dog to a friend or a friend. After I felt better i offered to buy back. They will not allow us to even visit
answered on Jun 19, 2020
When you give a gift, you generally cannot take it back unless it was conditioned on something that didn’t happen.
My sister asked me to watch her dogs for an extended period of time, she then text me on day and told me to get rid of them (I have all the screenshots) so I get rid of my sisters female dog, and I decided to keep her male dog. I charged a rehoming fee of 50$ to ensure the dog went to a good home... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2020
Probably not. If you have her screenshot statements telling you to "get rid" of them, then you would likely be successful at arguing that she abandoned them. After she abandoned them, you rehomed one and kept the other. The male is now your property.
My dog is in my fiances name am I still held liable for her biting a cat? I am summoned to court because I talked to cop
Our 3 dogs allegedly escaped and got the neghbors outdoor cat. They admitted to the cops she was an outdoor cat and roamed the neighborhood but she was atacked in her... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2020
You're probably liable for the vet bills, and may be liable for the criminal end of things as well. You should reach out to an attorney for a full opinion and representation.
They admit they knew she was mine and didnt want to give her back. They are claiming they "found" her outside of my house and took her. We had search efforts for her along with some assist from the local dog warden. They are now claiming they contacted me 6 months after they took her and... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2020
Maybe. You might have to bring a small claims action against them and show your ownership of her, all your attempts to find her, and any evidence of their statements that they knew she was yours and did not want to give her back. Given the time that has past, it would be very difficult.
We whelped the litter and our payment was a pup. Now that I don't get along with previous owner they want to take dog back from us. The only thing that concerns me is that they still have papers for our dog. Its been 8 months so I figure if it is even possible to take this dog from me that... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2020
That would depend on whether you signed a contract with them, and what it says about returning the dog. It's unlikely that simply a soured relationship would suffice to force you to return a dog. If there is no written contract, your general contract appears to be that you whelped the litter,... View More
she wants me to return the dog or pay the balance of a lease i didnt sign. Since paying the agreed price and having it agreed upon via text do i have to return the dog?
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answered on Jun 1, 2020
No. You are what's called a bona fide purchaser, which means you took possession of the purchased property without any knowledge, actual or constructive, of any other ownership interest in the property (the dog). As a matter of law, you do not have to pay the lease. You may want to consider... View More
My husband and I are going through a dissolution. We had 2 dogs, he got one and I got the other. I was finally able to see the dog he has and his nails are completely grown out and his undercoat is matted. My ex moved to a tiny apartment so he has nowhere to run and play. I was always the primary... View More
answered on May 7, 2020
Your question indicates you are going through a dissolution. In a dissolution, the division of all property (including pets) must be agreed on ahead of time. In other words, the agreement must address the dogs, the judge will not make a decision on who gets the dog that day.
Further, if... View More
Our neighbors have a dog that's not so friendly, they have a fenced in yard but the dog is big enough to hop the fence & on multiple occasions dug holes under to get out. One of those occasions of which he bit my little brother, my brother did not press charges in fears they would have to... View More
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answered on May 5, 2020
Your brother does not need to file the police report. You can file the police report. Going the criminal route is going to be faster to stop the danger to you and your family.
If you go the civil route, you can bring a suit for negligence and trespass against your neighbors, but that is... View More
My neighbors dog is causing us and our dog to lose the enjoyment of our property. It constantly attacks and jumps on the fence in a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack. Our dog is becoming more and more afraid to go out and is causing "accidents" in the house. Her 4 foot... View More
answered on May 3, 2020
As you have learned, local ordinances and animal control are usually not much help. You can try talking to your neighbor, but neighbor problems are difficult to resolve, and can get worse if you take action. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney who can advise you of options.
Child was taken to ER immediately. Someone was supposed to come look at the dog but no one came.
answered on May 3, 2020
Ex can make threats, but it is the court that decides after hearing all the facts and testimony. Unless it was a known dangerous dog, or had prior aggressive behavior, then it seems unlikely that a court would change parenting arrangements. But use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult a local family... View More
Food or water I found the pup 3 days after she left . The pup destroyed carpets and other flooring as well as drywall . I’m know taking care of the pup and want to keep him . She is not returning any calls , am I allowed to keep him so I can get him to vet and get him up to date on vaccines and... View More
answered on Feb 12, 2020
Yes, it sounds as though she abandoned him and thus he is now your property. You can take him to the vet, get him up to date on vaccines, and neutered.
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