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.

Fostering my dog.

If I cannot provide a stable home for a dog that I own, can I ask someone to temporarily house the dog? Is there a written agreement that needs to be made to ensure I will get the dog back? How should I go about getting temporary placement for my dog until I can provide a stable home for him?

By |2024-03-26T09:27:10-04:00January 16th, 2024|

Dog killed by another dog on walk.

My son took my dog for a walk. My dog was on his leash, but a big dog ran out of a neighbor's house and killed my dog. The house in question has no fence, so as soon as the dog got out of the front door, he had the run of the neighborhood. This dog has supposedly already bitten 4 people. What are my options? How do I proceed with a lawsuit? What kind of suit would it be?

By |2024-03-26T09:25:14-04:00January 16th, 2024|

Can animal control take my dog from my apartment?

My wife and I recently adopted a 4-year-old dog, and on the first day in the new place, the dog was barking until I came home because I had to leave work early to deal with it. The woman who runs the admissions office said tenants threatened to call animal control, and they would have to let them in. Are they legally allowed to take the dog if it is barking all day in the apartment away from anyone else?

By |2024-03-26T09:29:14-04:00January 15th, 2024|

Ex-girlfriend wants to take custody of dog due to being ESA.

My ex-girlfriend and I got the dog together. I paid the majority portion of her cost, all of her vet bills, and all of her food supplies. I have documentation under my name for the vet bills and registration. Her argument is that we got the dog registered as an ESA under her name. The only reason for this was that we were living in a breed-restricted apartment that did not allow our dog size. She has served me some papers for court in March, and I would like to know how I stand on this?

By |2024-03-26T09:15:10-04:00January 9th, 2024|

Dog not allowed to be in the yard.

My neighbor had a dispute with me. Their dog had bonded with us when she was two months old. She would come out to the backyard through her pet door several times a day, and we would visit with her every day. They have a chain-link fence between our properties. When the owners would take her for a walk, we would join them, and they would let the dog go into our front yard, and we would visit and play. Now, we haven’t seen the dog for weeks. They don’t give her access to the back or front yard.

By |2024-03-26T09:18:25-04:00December 26th, 2023|

Want to know if this is a scam.

After paying a person who is supposed to be selling a dog upfront, they keep asking for more money, such as gas money and extra fees. Now they are asking us to fill out a registry paper that requires our name, driver's license, social security number, and address. Is this normal, or is it a scam?

By |2024-01-17T17:10:41-04:00December 17th, 2023|

Can I legally require a signed agreement for spay/neuter?

I am not a breeder, but I have a litter of puppies from an accidental mating for which I need to find homes. I want to prevent future accidents and do not want them to reproduce. I am considering requiring new owners to sign a notarized agreement stating the animal would be spayed or neutered when age-appropriate.

By |2024-01-17T17:29:43-04:00December 17th, 2023|
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