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Virginia Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: i need advice...my girlfriend and i had a dog i have been paying the dogs vet bills and food bills for years

she passed away from breast cancer...her brother had the dog boarded with his groomer of many years i had told her brother i had taken care of the dog for years i have credit card statements reflecting that the brother and our groomer had him killed by our vet instead of letting me have the dog i... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 15, 2017

First, get Justia to take down /remove your contact info. You will be trolled, etc.

Second--most states do not recognize that a pet is worth more than it's market value--so if the value of a dog of that age would be $50, that would be all you would get. Whose name was the dog licensed...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: Can a service dog "instinctively" protect it's owner from a criminal attack, or from criminal harm?

I am totally disabled from a TBI, and my service dog is a Great Dane. The dog has never been professionally, or unprofessionally trained to attack so, I want to know what would happen to me, and / or my service dog in court if the dog "instinctively" protects me from harm?... View More

Jan F Hoen
Jan F Hoen
answered on Jan 3, 2017

It is not possible to accurately answer your hypothetical without all the facts.

If you are sued, retain counsel to defend you.

Report any claim immediately to your homeowner's insurance carrier as soon as you are notified of it.

In general, unless the dog has attacked...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My ex used to/still beats our dog. If the dog is in his name, can I get him back

I had no proof of the abuse other than witnesses and I'm sure the dog is still being hit. I raised him for 8 months until I had to leave due to abuse as well.

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Dec 1, 2016

If the dog is in his name, and he is caring for the dog, then the law says it is his property. That does not mean it is legal for him to beat the dog, but it probably means you have no right to take the dog as your own.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: Mother was temp caring for my dog, surrendered him to animal aid org without my permission. Can I get him back legally?

I was incarcerated briefly, but in regular contact and made it clear that I could make alternate arrangements if necessary. I also made clear that I was not willing to surrender him and had other options available if she was unable to care for him. She has admitted (recorded conversation) that she... View More

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Dec 1, 2016

You could try to do so, but it would require a lawsuit--probably one in circuit court--which would be expensive. You should contact an attorney if you can afford one.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Virginia on
Q: Can you break a written contract of 30 days notice if a horse boarding facility is unsafe in virginia or for any reason

We have two horses boarded in Virginia.. we have paid for this months board and given notice we want to leave and plan on leaving the farm before the end of this month. The owner wants us too pay for the full month of december as well because she says we have to give 30 days notice.

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Nov 29, 2016

It depends on what the contract says. It is impossible to say for sure without studying the contract.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: I have a dog but where I live I can't keep her so my friend offered to keep her at her home so now she wants to keep he

The dog is in my name but her address and now she wants to Chang her name and keep her . Can she do that .

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Nov 29, 2016

She cannot keep your dog without your permission, but she could refuse to keep your dog, or charge you for it.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My ex girlfriend abandon her dogs with me 6 plus months ago. Are the dogs now legally mine?

I live in the city of Covington Virginia

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Nov 15, 2016

There is no yes/no answer to this. It depends on the circumstances and the intent of the parties. You can be legally responsible for what the dogs do because you are caring for them.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My dog got off her leash and bit another dog in Virginia Beach. Am I legally responsible to pay the bills?

We called animal control bc the man was not rational and chased after my 8yr and ethe dog after my daughter got a hold of her. He verbally assaulted my daughter with cuss words and more. My wife tried to talk with him and see if we needed to take his dog to the vet. He screamed I will see you... View More

Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
Mr. Andrew T. Bodoh
answered on Nov 8, 2016

A court may find that you are legally obligated to pay, but you do not have to pay until then. You may wish to contact your homeowners or renters insurance, as they may provide coverage.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: can you sue a pet store for vet costs?

I bought a rabbit from a pet store and two days later noticed it was ill. After rushing it to the emergency room, I was told it had parasites. The parasite was a deadly one and the rabbit had it before I bought it which the vet said was obvious considering the stage the infection was in. My dog... View More

Matthew Lane Kreitzer
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
answered on Aug 11, 2016

Whether you have a cause of action depends entirely on the terms of any purchase agreement you may have signed, as well as any oral assurances given to you by the store employees. For more information on your ability to sue, consider reaching out to a local Civil Litigator.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: can u legally haul another persons dogs off if they are a nuisance and talking to the owners isnt getting anywhere?

These dogs destroy garbage,attack other animals, are aggressive towards children, and are food aggressive!!!

Matthew Lane Kreitzer
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
answered on Aug 8, 2016

Nope. you need to go through proper legal channels. You can't just extra judiciously take someone else's dog. Consult an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: I obtained a dog on Craigslist that was given to me free and they have come to try and take him back? Can they?

Police have already claimed the dog was mine to keep since the dog was given and now the past owner says we stole him and they want 250 dollars for him. They went to another police department and told them that to try and get the dog back and now that has fallen through. I have put about 600... View More

Matthew Lane Kreitzer
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
answered on Jul 20, 2016

That would depend on a thorough review of the facts. If you are going to Court and wish to keep the dog, you may want to consider seeking out a local attorney to aid you.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: My boyfriend's aunt won't give me my dog back.

We also have her micro chipped and have proff of her saying she is our dog but we can't have her back she thanks we did drug's but we were not she kicked us out and stole everything from us as well as antagonize us. So bad we moved to Virginia she is in California how can i get her back... View More

Matthew Lane Kreitzer
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
answered on Jun 17, 2016

You need a California attorney to handle this.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My cat was taken by my mom without permission and given away to a family. Can I legally get it back.
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
Matthew Lane Kreitzer
answered on Jun 10, 2016

Depending on your age, you technically may have a cause of action for the return of your cat. However, there are filing fees and attorneys fees associated with this venture. Additionally, you may cheapen your family ties by pursuing this.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: I bought a dog- and ended up not keeping it so I gave the dog to a friend of mine- later finding that you can't do that.

I bought this dog with my best friend, we live with my mom. And let's just say we ended up not being able to keep him, and I gave him to a friend, later to find out that the paper work says you can't sell or give away your dog. Is that punishable ...?

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 17, 2016

While there may be times you are limited in giving away your dog for health or safety reasons, it's not clear why you wouldn't be able to do so in this case. You'd have to have a consultation with a general practice or animal law attorney to review the paperwork you're... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: Is there any laws about selling puppy's out of your house in R.I.?
Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 9, 2016

You've accidentally posted your question to the Virginia section of Ask-A-Lawyer. Repost it to Rhode Island. Good luck!

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Municipal Law, Criminal Law and Personal Injury for Virginia on
Q: If my dog bit someone, can i move him to a different county and not face penalty?
Steve Miyares
Steve Miyares
answered on Mar 16, 2016

Removing the dog to another jurisdiction would not negate potential criminal and/or civil consequences.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Education Law and Environmental for Virginia on
Q: What are the laws about leaving a dog on your porch?

I left my two chihuahua dogs on the porch for an hour in 76 degree weather with a blanket, food and water.

Robert Jason De Groot
Robert Jason De Groot
answered on Oct 4, 2015

You have to look up the local ordinances to find out.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My ex fiance gave me our dog and I have him for 3 almost 4 months and now she wants him back to sell him can she do that

She did have him registered but she abandoned him and gave him to me does she have the right to do that

Robert Jason De Groot
Robert Jason De Groot
answered on Sep 26, 2015

Yes, she can do that, on one hand, but what can you do about it, on the other. Who is the registered owner of the dog? Were you merely to take care of the dog? Were you to charge her for taking care of the dog?

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: The newspaper carrier hit & killed our dog. Can I hold her accountable for the vet bills?

She speeds excessively on our rural road. She was using profanity with my husband. There was no remorse. It was in a cul de sac. She wasn't paying attention

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Jul 25, 2015

Talk to a local lawyer about making a claim or perhaps you can sue in small claims court. The damages may be medical bills and/or the value of your pet, depending on VA laws. You might have a claim against her employer, too, and there may be insurance that covers it.

Please Take Notice:...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: My friend has a dog that she got for her ex girlfriends birthday but the

My friends got her ex gf a dog for her bday. The dog lives with me and my friend and we pay for dog food and etc. and now her ex demands we give the dog to her. Does she have any legal right to take her ?

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Jul 18, 2015

It depends on the specifics. If it's clear that she owns the dog, then it's her property. You can ask for reimbursement for costs you spent.

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