Pet Legal Q&A

Elinor D. Molbegott, is an attorney who maintains a law practice devoted to animal law. Elinor donates her time to answer questions from North Shore Animal League America supporters who would like to learn more about animal law.

How can I get my dog back?

My dog escaped the house with a bad skin condition and ended up at the shelter before I returned home. The shelter deemed her skin as neglect and threatened to take my other animals (1 dog 1 cat) if we tried to sign her out, so my boyfriend (legal owner) signed her away to them. But I've personally had this dog for 12 years and knows only us as a family. I have the vet I've used for 12 years as well on my side, but he legally can't do anything and told me to contact a lawyer. I've asked the shelter nicely to get her back any way I can but they won't give me a straight answer.

By |2024-05-20T14:52:45-04:00April 20th, 2024|

Rehomed by mistake.

I had gone without sleep for a couple months and I really wasn't aware how much I would miss the dog and the people won't let me visit her.

By |2024-05-06T10:58:14-04:00March 26th, 2024|

Yorkie killed by coyote.

We have used the same couple to board our two small dogs when we travel. The first night, one of the sitters let the 5 lb. Yorkie out free in their front yard with a four-foot fence, not the rear yard with a six-foot block wall. Several minutes later, they heard the yelping of the Yorkie and chased the coyote away, after the coyote had killed my dog.

By |2024-05-06T11:06:54-04:00March 21st, 2024|

Euthanize without consent.

My daughter had her Rottweiler dog many years before her marriage and was a gentle dog and in good health. The vet even had all her records under my daughter's maiden name. Her husband took her dog to the vet and had her euthanized to hurt my daughter because they are having problems. The vet pulled up Nina's records under my daughter's name and never got her consent or never contacted her. Is there anything she can do about this to either party?

By |2024-05-06T11:00:58-04:00March 21st, 2024|

TNR related to pets.

We recently had a cat that was both an indoor and outdoor cat. He was neutered, had a microchip, and front declawed (which is how we acquired him). One of our neighbors claims he participates in TNR and caught our cat once.

By |2024-05-15T14:16:24-04:00March 14th, 2024|

Breeder didn’t disclose genetic eye disorder in her contract.

This puppy was purchased from a breeder in CA, which has a puppy lemon law. My vet saw him two days after I got him and diagnosed the problem. The breeder won't take responsibility. This puppy is facing several surgeries that could cost $3000+. We’re keeping the puppy. What kind of attorney could help me with this?

By |2024-05-06T11:14:20-04:00March 14th, 2024|

Animal control took my puppy.

I have a 9-week-old puppy who is very accident-prone and often hurts himself. I take him to the vet every time. This last time, the vet decided after we left that she thought we were not going to get the dog the surgery he needed and suspected we were abusing the dog. The next day, animal control and the police were here and took the dog. How do I go about getting my puppy back, and what can and can't they do? They don’t have any proof.

By |2024-05-06T11:21:56-04:00March 8th, 2024|

Dog owner liability and compensation.

My service dog died after my neighbor's dogs were running at large, and one of the three bit him, causing his ribs on one side to be broken and puncturing his lung. I have had an ongoing problem with these dogs chasing my livestock over the past three years.

By |2024-05-06T11:11:59-04:00March 6th, 2024|
Go to Top