Pet Legal Q&A

///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.


Trapping.

If someone is threatening to trap and kill my cat, who is microchipped and has a collar, what can I do?

By |2024-03-26T09:41:20-04:00February 26th, 2024|

Getting my dog back.

Due to time constraints, I had to give my dog to a foster/adoption organization. However, less than a few hours after giving him up, I contacted the agency to see if I could get my dog back, but they said no. When they came to pick up my dog, they did not provide me with any paperwork to confirm the exchange. I asked them again if I could get my dog back because I realized I had made a mistake in giving him up.

By |2024-03-26T09:44:49-04:00February 20th, 2024|

Neighbor complained about my dogs getting into their yard due to broken fence.

Our neighbor sent us a letter threatening legal action if our dogs enter their yard again. They also contacted our landlord about the issue. Our fence, which is 21 years old, needs replacement, but our landlord refuses to do so. Recently, after a storm, a fence post was down, and our dogs entered their yard. We promptly called them, and they came over right away. Despite this, the neighbor sent us a nasty letter. My husband immediately fixed the fence afterward. Do they have a legal case against us?

By |2024-03-26T09:47:41-04:00February 16th, 2024|

Suspected neglect and injury case.

Ten days ago, I took my friend's brother's dog to get emergency care as she needed stitches for a laceration on her paw. No family members were willing to take her in during her recovery. The injury resulted from broken glass on the floor, which is standard for the home. The house was filthy, with mud caking the floors, garbage ripped up everywhere, and the brothers are suspected of being involved in drug activities inside the house.

By |2024-03-26T09:53:44-04:00February 12th, 2024|

Retrieving fees.

I am trying to find out what the fee is for me to get my dog out of the pound. He was taken from my friend's house because she got arrested.

By |2024-03-26T09:55:02-04:00February 6th, 2024|

Animal control and custody.

Is there a way when I call animal control on someone I know is neglecting their animals, can I get the dog from animal control to give the dog a better life?

By |2024-03-26T09:31:39-04:00January 26th, 2024|

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|