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.
I live in the US and was planning to go back to Scotland when I got ill with pneumonia, I rehomed my dog. Nothing was signed and no money exchanged. Can I get my dog back? I’m staying in the US.
Story is the owner ran into hard times and had a “friend” take care of her 4 dogs till she was on her feet to take them back. She was sending the caregiver funds to take care of her dogs. She was then informed by another friend that they saw one of her dogs on a dog rescue site up for adoption. She contacted the rescue and they stated he was already adopted out. They claimed they contacted the owner and waited a month to adopt him out. Also a claim that they contacted the adopter and they declined to give the dog back. What can the original owner do in this situation?
So I bought a dog back in July and I didn't pay for her in full. I told the people I got her from I would pay for the rest of her by the end of the month, but then I became homeless, and then got another house. I just didn't have the funds to pay for her right away and I informed the breeder every step of the way and they said ok. Then after 8 months of me having her they said I owed WAYY more money then I originally did for the late fee charges. BUT I never signed a contract, and I asked the breeders to write one up but they never did, and so because I didn't receive a contract stating that if I didn't pay her off by a certain date there would be late fee charges. I told her I wasn't paying late fee charges so now they are taking me to court for the rest of the money I owe on the dog PLUS late fee charges AND they want her back. NONE of us signed a contract agreeing to anything, so I'm just curious if she can really get the dog back and make me pay late fee charges, or if I will just have to pay off what I originally owed on the dog and be on my way.
My mom is sick so I took on her fur baby until her health improved. My daughter left the door open when she left for school and the animals got out. My dogs are always out for walks so our neighbors know them but the cat is always inside. He was lost in the for weeks. I made a report with the police and today they said they found him. The person who found them requesting I paid for vet fees. I was confused because why did you bring him to the vet? My assumption was that he was hurting. She states “She feels he needed to be fixed”. One it’s not my animal it’s my moms, secondly if I find anything that’s lost I report it to the police and let them make the call. How does a person make that call without consent? That’s insane and my mom is so upset because she didn’t want him to go through the pain and to change in his behavior. What legal actions can be taken?
My father recently passed away and someone gave him a dog. It's been 3 months since he moved in with me. After he died the old owner wants her back. Can I get in trouble if I refuse to give her back?
We recently bought an Australian Shepard from a breeder under the impression that she would be a standard. Upon a DNA test, the results came back that our dog is a mini Australian shepherd. Do we have any potential courses of action? We will absolutely not give the dog back or away.
I bought the dog but he did give me some money towards her. We share expenses and both take care of her. I carry pet insurance, and I work from home and he doesn't. We will be living in same area so I would be willing to share custody but he may not be willing. Do I have to take him to court over her?
We dropped our dog off for boarding and grooming. When we picked him up they had cut all of his hair off without any explanation. He is an American Akita, his coat may never grow back and will never be the same. He is suffering psychologically and now he cannot be in the sun due to possible skin cancer and he cannot be out in the cold.
Can my roommate give my dogs away without my permission?
My mom's dog, lab mix, ran out of the house and bit and killed a small dog. They were across the street. Owner of deceased dog says she wants 3k for her dog or she will put a claim on my homeowners insurance. Can this happen?