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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.

Humane Society took my dog when I was not home.

My kids were at my house alone and the Humane Society came there because someone called about my dogs being outside. They have doghouses, food and water, and weren’t out there for along time. When I called to redeem my dogs they told me because no one answered the door I wasn’t allowed to take them back home with me.

By |2023-01-06T17:42:52+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Breeder sold seriously ill puppy.

I purchased a puppy from a breeder in NC on Sunday, 11-13-22. Since having her she hasn’t eaten, she won’t drink and isn’t very active. I took her to the vet today, Wednesday 11-16-22 and was told that she’s infested with round worms and may possibly require surgery to remove them. No vet checks by breeder who self vaccinated and deworming of her animals ( I failed to question this prior to purchase). After informing breeder of these findings she continues to deny any wrong doings and insists that she dewormed all of her animals and they were free of worms.

By |2023-01-06T17:37:40+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Pet Store Misrepresented Breed

Hello. I purchased a “doxie-poo” puppy from a pet store. After researching pet stores, I am disgusted at my mistake. I ran a DNA test on my puppy to determine if he was what they claimed. He is not. I’m wondering if I have any power here in getting some of that purchase refunded.

By |2023-01-06T17:27:53+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Groomers injured my dog.

My dog went to the groomers two days ago and they sent him home with a broken paw. I just want to know what we can do.

By |2023-01-06T17:23:34+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Custody of a dog

Someone gave me a puppy to watch because she could not care for him. He was about 2 months old when I took him in. I have now had him for about 10 months, have paid for all his food and vet bills and care. That person now wants the dog back. He will not live a good life with her and he’s happy with me and my family. Do I have the power to keep him even if he is registered in her name?

By |2023-01-06T17:19:14+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Force Spaying??

My dog got out of our locked gate for the first time. Within 3 hours I'd located her at Animal Services and was ready to pick her up. Six hours later they called me and said I have to allow them to spay her or I cant have her back. Is this legal?? What are my rights?? I'm urgently trying to get this figured out because I only have a day or two before they then say I've surrendered her. Can you please help? I don't want her spayed ESPECIALLY without me present and not having chosen the vet to do it.

By |2023-01-06T16:17:16+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Breeder is trying to take puppy back.

Contacted breeder about a puppy, he had one available. Go to breeder, meet dog and buy it (full payment) take possession of puppy and took home. The next day call from breeder said he made a mistake and that he already had a deposit for said puppy, and wanted it back. What are our rights to keep this puppy? Thank you very much for your time.

By |2023-01-06T16:05:32+00:00January 6th, 2023|

How to protect myself from litigation.

You stated that one of your pet-sitting business rules is that the animals are fixed yet the cat was accepted for boarding without being fixed. A contract can be as simple as authorizing a specific person or entity to have an animal (description included) neutered by a licensed veterinarian although there are other provisions that a pet-sitting business/boarding facility or individual should consider to include in a pet-sitting/boarding contract, such as a hold harmless clause which addresses liability, animal care, which may address such things as emergencies where the animal may need veterinary attention, failure of the animal’s “parent” to retrieve the animal when scheduled to do so, etc. Consider having an attorney review your contracts and/or draft contracts for your business. I also suggest procuring insurance if you do not have it.

By |2023-01-06T15:49:53+00:00January 6th, 2023|

Aggressive Neighbor Dog & Neglecting Owners

I have a neighbor who owns two dogs. One of which is his fiancé’s and the dog has been aggressive to me since they moved in over a year ago. He will run the fence line and bark and pounce on the fence. He will stick his jaw under the fence and bark, snarl, and go to bite. About three months ago I adopted two dogs. Their dogs are left outside all day everyday. I only let mine out w supervision. Yesterday the aggressive dog bit one of mine. This has gone on for too long and continues to escalate despite talking with the owners. What should I do?

By |2023-01-06T15:45:06+00:00January 6th, 2023|