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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.

Need to remove husband’s cat from my house.

My husband's hybrid domestic cat (very expensive) makes messes constantly, brakes my property, pees, and poo's in virtually every room of the house and is unsafe around my newborn baby (has slapped him in the past and cannot be trusted around the baby- but with additional caution since I am not aware of another occurrence). My husband and I currently have serious relationship issues (not just related to the cat) and he does not seem to care enough for the welfare of my baby, or my quality of life to do something about his cat or comply with my request to remove it. How can I remove the cat legally? Am I forced to live with this cat until my husband moves out? Only my name is on the mortgage since my husband moved in with me before we married.

By |2020-06-23T12:33:49+00:00June 23rd, 2020|

My puppy’s siblings might be being abused/neglected.

Long story short, today a woman on a bike stopped me and asked me about my puppy while we were out on a walk, and it turns out she knows the general location of one of my puppy's siblings, but informed me that health wise my puppy looks amazing compared to the rest. If I were to locate this sibling and find it in a state of neglect or abused, would it be legal for me to take it, and give it a real home, either with myself and it's sister or to someone I know would give it the life it deserves? I doubt myself in my puppy parenting skills so the idea that mine is the healthiest taken care of in a whole litter is breaking my heart.

By |2020-07-13T14:48:47+00:00June 18th, 2020|

Is there any way to get my dog back?

Is there anyway to get my dog back? I surrendered my little dog 6-3-2020. I wanted to reclaim my dog, and I went back within 24 hours, but the shelter had already adopted him out.

By |2020-06-18T10:37:42+00:00June 18th, 2020|

Can I adopt Shop Cat I’ve been caring for during quarantine?

I have been sheltering a cat during quarantine for a shop that didn’t have a plan to care for the cat during quarantine when no one would be visiting the shop on a regular basis. There was no clear agreement about how long I was taking him for. When I picked up the cat, he was extremely dirty. I have cared for him and bought him food for two months. I’ve spent every day and all day with him. He’s extremely well cared for. The shop owner who lives in NYC only part time now wants the cat back in the shop, but I’m scared he’s going to be traumatized. I would like to adopt him but they said no. What are my rights?

By |2020-06-18T11:02:57+00:00May 20th, 2020|

My friend gave me a dog now wants it back. What can I do?

A friend of mine gave me a dog 3 days ago after he was asked several times if he was sure on rehoming him. Two days later he texted saying he would be back in a week to get the dog. His reason was his partner missed the dog after telling him to rehome the dog because she couldn’t handle a puppy and a new born baby. But still pregnant, decided she can all of the sudden handle an 8 month old puppy whom was underweight and had bald patches when we received him. What can I do?

By |2020-06-17T17:03:40+00:00May 17th, 2020|

Cited for too many animals but my sister won’t get rid of them.

I live with my sister and her husband, the house is mine and my mom's. We got cited by the city for having too many animals. They told us we had to get rid of the ones over the 2 animal/pet limit or we will get fined. Since I am one of the owners of the house, I will end up getting the ticket in my name. I can't evict them because my mom won't go along with it, even tho we are technically breaking the law because of them. The dogs they have have destroyed a lot of pieces of our personal belongings, but they refuse to compensate us. We've asked them to get rid of the extra animals months ago. How can I legally remove the extra animals myself? (Since they refuse to)

By |2020-02-20T17:41:08+00:00February 20th, 2020|

She’s my dog but the law is trying to remove her.

Recently, someone in my house hold was arrested for animal cruelty. They went in for their animal cruelty assessment and they were told that I would have to re-home my dog, even though she isn't his dog. She is completely mine and her adoption is under my name. Can the law force me to give my dog away because someone in my household was arrested for animal cruelty?

By |2020-02-20T17:18:10+00:00February 20th, 2020|

I REALLY NEED HELP FOR THIS POOR BABY, AND I AM AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO!!!

Last night, I heard a noise out in the ten below weather. I got outside, and this poor orange tabby sweetheart comes running up to me!! He’s shivering, and so I run inside and get him warmed up. Now he’s well fed, and warm on a comfy bed! He’s a total sweetheart, but I’m worried because, this poor baby is well fed; and looks somewhat healthy? But where are his parents? I’m so worried this is a case of neglect, and I wanna help this sweet angel...

By |2020-02-20T17:11:34+00:00February 20th, 2020|

How can we legally acquire this dog we found?

We found this dog and he was in horrible condition. Fleas covered is body. After giving the dog a thorough bath, the whole tub was covered in blood from how bad the infestation was. We fell in love with him. A week later, the owner finally contacted us. We had to give him back because legally that's how it works.

By |2020-03-16T15:38:13+00:00February 20th, 2020|