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.

Can I be sued if I rehome my dog?

The contract I signed says I can't rehome the dog I adopted. On top of adoption fees I have spent hundreds of dollars getting up to date on everything including nurturing. I feel she is mine and if things aren't working out 3 months later I should be able to find a perfect home. Can they sue me? If so, sue me for what? For what I paid for her?

By |2023-01-10T10:29:32-04:00November 30th, 2022|

NYC shelter forcing me to neuter my dog.

My dog wandered off from my backyard and was taken to an animal shelter. They are telling me that if I don't agree to neuter him right then and there, they will not release him to my custody because it is the law. I do not want my dog neutered now, I would neuter him in the future. I have read many articles about male dogs becoming more aggressive after being neutered and I don't want that. Can anything be done?

By |2023-01-10T10:21:21-04:00November 30th, 2022|

Need help

My brother and his ex have been dating on and off for almost a year, and he wants his dog. His dog is registered to him and he has is the adoption paperwork, but she's been paying for all the dogs vet bills because the dog lives with her, but he’s trying to get custody. I was just wondering if there’s a chance to prove he’s the owner of his dog.

By |2023-01-10T10:14:37-04:00November 30th, 2022|

Help me get my dog back.

I gave a dog to a rescue and before i could get back to my car I couldn't leave him I asked for him back and offered the fees they said no. What can I do? I want him out of that place.

By |2023-01-10T10:08:57-04:00November 30th, 2022|

Can shelter force me to spay my puppy?

I got a puppy from a Titusville. FL shelter. She was very young, we agreed to bring her back to get spayed in about a month. I don’t want to. What can they do about it? My wife thinks they will get the sheriff’s office involved.

By |2023-01-10T10:07:45-04:00November 30th, 2022|

I want my dog back.

My dog is at an animal shelter in Washington state because animal control told me they have to take him for now due to a incident where two people were bit by him. Now animal control is calling me asking me to surrender my dog to them. I haven't given them an answer yet. What are my options? Can I get my dog back?

By |2022-10-27T09:48:27-04:00October 27th, 2022|

Should I have to pay Humane Society to get my dogs back?

My three dogs were let out of our fenced in yard while I was in our house. I noticed it within an hour when I went to go let them back in. My neighbors, who I think let them out in the first place, called the pound and now the pound wants to charge me $240 to get my pets back, and they've had them for a whole couple of hours. I had them penned in properly, why should I have to pay such large amount of fees to get my animals back?

By |2022-10-27T09:24:33-04:00October 27th, 2022|

Victim of Animal Scam

I sent someone money for a dog and they took it then blocked me. Is there a way I can get my money or the dog from them legally?

By |2022-10-26T13:55:26-04:00September 29th, 2022|

Do I have legal recourse after giving up dog?

I gave my dog away for adoption 23 days ago. I was under duress with an upcoming knee operation 6 days later. I didn't sell the dog and I have papers and she was microchipped that the dog belongs to me. I didn't consult my family prior to giving her up for adoption and the decision. The kids are depressed as is the entire family. I called 23 days after I gave my dog up to a family for adoption and they refuse to give me back the dog. Do I have any legal recourse in the state of New York?

By |2022-10-26T11:07:09-04:00September 29th, 2022|
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