I need help getting my puppy back. I let someone take the puppy under the agreement that they would keep her, allow me to visit, and contribute to her veterinary care. I found out through text messages, shortly after giving them the puppy, that they gave or sold her to someone else. They even used... View More

Charles M. Baron
answered on May 13, 2025

Contact a general practice or civil litigation lawyer in your area. Your agreement may or may not be enforceable in Court, depending on the details of the arrangement and what transpired after the conveyance. Ideally, you should have drawn up a written, signed agreement that included the... View More

My dogs were seized without a warrant 13 days ago by authorities citing animal abuse due to inadequate food and water. However, my dogs had been fed and had water available before I left for a short period. There has been no communication or paperwork from the authorities regarding charges or the... View More

In Arizona, I own a horse that is not fully broken, and a trainer is working with my horse, both doing groundwork and riding it. The trainer has equine insurance and is performing the training at a boarding facility where they have signed a liability waiver with the facility owner. All... View More

My house was foreclosed, and we were given ten minutes to leave the premises. Animal control took our valuable horses, claiming it was necessary because we couldn't move them ourselves, despite us having the means to do so with some additional time for arrangements. The sheriff threatened me... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on May 12, 2025

I'm sorry you had that experience and I understand how difficult it is to relocate horses on short notice.

Technically, the horses were not stolen and were likely considered abandoned just like any other personal property left on the premises. The sheriff has to post a 24-hour notice... View More

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I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More

Jan F Hoen
answered on May 12, 2025

Dogs are considered personal property. It is only when a person is injured that there can be a recovery for non-economic damages. You can only recover from the landlord if their homeowners’ policy liability coverage applies to the dogs. You can try sending a letter outlining your damages and the... View More

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I was in the mountains with a friend who has a carry license. Her cattle ran over her sheep and dog, putting her life at risk. I used her firearm to shoot rounds into the ground to create a safe passage and took her to her truck. Later, when we were pulled over by the police, I explained why I used... View More

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answered on May 12, 2025

In California, the law generally prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from possessing or handling firearms under any circumstances, even in emergency situations like the one you described. When you handled the firearm to help your friend, you technically violated California Penal Code Section... View More

My daughter's dog was attacked by my neighbor's dog, which also injured her children. The incident resulted in over $3,000 in vet bills. We have sent letters to the neighbors both by mail and hand delivery, but they refused to pay the expenses. There have been prior incidents of their dog... View More

John Michael Frick
answered on May 12, 2025

You should file a small claims suit in the justice of the peace court for the county and precinct where you and your neighbor live.

You should download, print out, and bring with you any local ordinance for your town or city that requires pet owners to keep their pets fenced or on a leash... View More

I applied for the Florida Exotic pet amnesty program, which states on their website that finding homes for red-eared sliders can take longer than a year due to limited placement options. Owners are encouraged to seek alternative placements on their own. I rehomed my turtle with an adopter before... View More

I owned a red-eared slider turtle in Palm Coast, FL, which I didn't realize was illegal to have. We signed up with the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, but subsequently, we found a new home for the turtle and gave it, along with all the aquarium equipment, to someone who already had turtles. The... View More

I have been caring for a dog for several years. Recently, I was informed that there is a breach of contract between the former owner and the breeder. Despite this, I am being asked to return the dog to the original owner. Can I legally request to see the contract that is being mentioned as proof of... View More

My three dogs were seized last October after an incident where my newborn child was attacked by one or more of them. Although the case against me has been closed for two months, the dogs are still held by animal control. The police mentioned a trial is the next step, and that animal control will... View More

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answered on May 8, 2025

In California, when animal control officers have "probable cause to believe that a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious," they may seize and impound the animal pending a hearing. This is especially true when they determine the dog "poses an immediate threat to public safety."... View More

My three dogs were seized last October following an incident at my home where my newborn child was attacked by one or more of them. The case against me has been closed for two months, but my dogs remain at animal control. The police informed me that my next step is a trial, and that animal control... View More

Robert Kane
answered on May 8, 2025

A newborn child being attacked by one or more of three dogs in your home is specific enough for evidence.

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My ex-partner took my cat, and the police say it's a civil matter. My cat is registered and microchipped under my name and address, but my ex is refusing to return it. We lived together when we got the cat. How can I get her back legally?

I recently lost a civil case where my ex claimed I stole her dog. The court ordered me to return the dog to her because the microchip was registered in her name, despite having evidence that supports my ownership. What legal steps can I take now to appeal or contest the decision based on my... View More

I am seeking legal advice on a veterinary malpractice and wrongful death case involving my Doberman, Odin, in Dayton, Tennessee. Despite over a year of known issues leading to his death from lymphosarcoma, the clinic continued to administer ineffective treatments even during the month of his death.... View More

I want to know if I can sue a staff member at a recovery homeless shelter who has been racist and discriminatory towards me, a senior citizen, and my service animal. This staff member, who is supposed to be qualified for her position, questions people about associating with me instead of people of... View More

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answered on May 7, 2025

Yes, you can sue for discrimination at a homeless shelter in California. Under California law, shelters are considered housing providers and must follow anti-discrimination laws, including providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities and their service animals.

The... View More

In December, I made a verbal agreement with someone to take in their animal because they couldn't keep her when moving to a new apartment. The agreement was that they would cover the costs of food and vet bills. However, they have failed to fulfill their part of the agreement. Although I have... View More

Giselle Ayala Mateus
answered on May 9, 2025

If you made a verbal agreement with someone and they failed to uphold their end, you may still be able to enforce that agreement or recover your expenses—even if there were no witnesses—as long as you have supporting evidence.

General Legal Principles:

1. Verbal Agreements Can... View More

I accidentally hit a dog on a rural road near my home around 6 pm and initially believed it was a wild animal. I stopped but didn't see anything in the road, so I assumed the animal went into the woods and did not report the incident. Later, my neighbor provided ring camera footage to the... View More

I live in Ohio and have a 4-year-old well-trained dog. Recently, my dog jumped our fenced yard and entered our neighbor's property, which resulted in an incident where my dog chased their chickens, causing one to die of fright, while the goat remained unharmed. The neighbor's daughter... View More

I live in Wisconsin and agreed to buy three dogs from a breeder in Michigan. Each dog costs $800, and I paid a deposit of $300 for each, totaling $900. Despite not having a signed contract, there was a clear agreement between us. When the puppies reached seven weeks old, the breeder informed me... View More