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.
My friend passed away unexpectedly out of state. How can I go about getting his dog that I promised I would always take care of something happened to him?
I have 40 cats and animal control is all over me thanks to my neighbors reporting me. I am one person trying to keep up with taking care of these animals. Animal control will not help but is threatening me with charges if I don't do better at keeping the house clean. What can I do?
If my apartment allows two cats- but I have three, one being an emotional support animal, can I be evicted?
After several months at a doggy daycare, my dog was killed by strangulation while in the daycare's custody. They said that another dog’s jaw got caught in her collar and after several attempts to separate them our dog succumbed due to lack of oxygen. There are many unanswered questions, why was her collar left on? Usually, it was removed after admission. Why was her collar not cut off? It was a cotton fabric collar, easily cut with scissors. Were they unsupervised? How did another dog get their jaw under her collar? Then after this tragedy, why were we not called right away? She was brought to the vet and there for over a half hour before we were notified. They said they revived her but then let her die peacefully as they “presumed” she was brain dead. How does one make those decisions without the permission of the owner?? There are cameras all over the establishment however, they won’t allow us to view them, except under their terms. Whilst navigating the wide realm of emotions that surround this event the “damage control” they are displaying is huge and the empathy is nil. My little girl was just over a year and full of life and promise. This shouldn’t have happened and I’m not only angry for her as it shouldn’t have happened, but this place needs to acknowledge that it did and be held to put in place procedures to not have it happen again! Thank you for any insight you can give. Best, JO
So, my girlfriend has a cat. She had moved out of her house and asked a friend to keep him. He got out and was outside for about 6 months. People found him and got him neutered and got a rabies shot. Now this was his first time to the vet and the lady won't give us his records. I feel she's trying to extort us, what should I do?
I have lost my dog due to the negligence of a dog groomer. Groomer stated my dog collapsed while being dried. The incident based on court records occurred at 11:30am. I was not notified until 12:30pm and demanded that the groomer take my dog to a vet 3 minutes away from her store. When I arrived to inquire about what happened I saw that the groomer did not take my pet anywhere. I picked him up off the floor and raced to the nearby vet…the Vet detected a pulse and tried to save him…but she couldn’t. My question is, does the Groomer owe me a duty of care for my pet? I don’t know if it makes a difference, but she is an LLC. Thank you.
My ex was watching our puppy when I was told she ran away. I then come to find out the owner of where my ex lives took the puppy and dumped her across town. He told me that he had called animal control. They went down there, and nothing was found on the 18th of the month. I was in the area, so I went in and asked to look and there she was! Unfortunately, the amount to get her out was 277.00 and I don't have that kind of money. Animal control wouldn't work with me. This was on the 20th of the same month. Now I found her at a rescue center with the price of 459. I can't get her out, I want my puppy back please help me.
My dog ended up at a shelter, they sold it after checking for a microchip and didn't call me
I live in a rural town, so there are a lot of animals around. I own 9 outside cats (mommas are fixed, the 7 kittens will follow). They hang out at my boss's restaurant deck all the time, which is not fenced and open to the public, because it’s shady and has trees to climb (we have 40 degrees sometimes). They don’t do any harm. Now she threatened me to give them away or trap them and get rid of them. Is that allowed?
What should I do? I live in a rented townhome. The fence is very dilapidated and allows my dog to get out. Property management is aware and hasn't fixed the problem so my dog can get next door. I've gotten to know my neighbor and when my dog would get through the fence, she would allow him into her home with her 4 other dogs. At least one of Wernick has attacked her friend's dog. I did not know that that had happened. Not until my dog was attacked in her home while I was at work. I received a text that my dog was in a fight with her dog and to come home. I saw the text an hour later and came home immediately. He was seriously injured, and we both went to the vet with him. After learning I couldn't afford surgery, she covered that bill after I paid 430 dollars. When he was released, she offered her vet for after care. He needed another surgery and ultimately died. She's not paying for it, and I can't get his ashes till it's paid. Her friend told me about the previous attack after the event. How do I get help to pay for treatment? Also how do I get the proper attention to her vicious dogs?