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.

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|

Can animal control take my dog from my apartment?

My wife and I recently adopted a 4-year-old dog, and on the first day in the new place, the dog was barking until I came home because I had to leave work early to deal with it. The woman who runs the admissions office said tenants threatened to call animal control, and they would have to let them in. Are they legally allowed to take the dog if it is barking all day in the apartment away from anyone else?

By |2024-03-26T09:29:14-04:00January 15th, 2024|

Ex-girlfriend wants to take custody of dog due to being ESA.

My ex-girlfriend and I got the dog together. I paid the majority portion of her cost, all of her vet bills, and all of her food supplies. I have documentation under my name for the vet bills and registration. Her argument is that we got the dog registered as an ESA under her name. The only reason for this was that we were living in a breed-restricted apartment that did not allow our dog size. She has served me some papers for court in March, and I would like to know how I stand on this?

By |2024-03-26T09:15:10-04:00January 9th, 2024|
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