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.

Entrapment

I live in a mobile home park where we have a lot of strays. The people who live beside me are trapping them. One day, they had a cat in the trap for eight hours. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to release the cat, but I don't think it's legal to go onto someone else's property. Two weeks later, there was another cat in a trap. I just looked out, and they have set the trap again. I'm afraid they are going to trap someone's cat that is being taken care of but is allowed to roam. Even though all pets are supposed to be leashed, people still let them roam. Should I call the humane league? I love cats, and this breaks my heart.

By |2023-05-19T13:20:55-04:00March 22nd, 2023|

Demanding the return of an adopted dog.

Are there any legal loopholes through which a rescue can demand the return of an adopted dog if it can be proven that the adopter was negligent and put the dog's life at risk? The person adopted a dog and was told the dog is very skittish and not to take her out walking until she gets settled. The owner disregarded what was said, and the dog got out. The adopter never called the rescue to let them know the dog got lost (less than 24 hours after adoption) and made very little effort to find her (there are witnesses). I would like to know if that can be considered "abuse"?

By |2023-05-19T12:55:44-04:00March 21st, 2023|

My dog ran away, a year later we found him, but she won’t give him back.

A year ago, my dog got out of the yard while I was recovering from an accident where I lost my child. We searched for him but heard nothing. A year later, my dog groomer sent me a picture of him; someone had brought him in to get groomed. She informed the lady that she knows the owner and gave her my contact info. However, the lady did not contact me. The groomer provided me with her info, and I've been trying to contact her, but she will not respond. How can I get my dog back?

By |2023-05-19T15:05:29-04:00March 20th, 2023|

Adopted dog who ran away.

We are a rescue group who adopted a dog out to people who informed us less than 24 hours later that the dog escaped their fence. They have now stopped payment on their check saying they don't feel that they shouldn't have to pay for said dog. We have a signed adoption contract from them. Is this legal?

By |2023-04-24T12:38:23-04:00March 6th, 2023|

My neighbor’s dog keeps getting into our yard and attacking our dog.

We have been having issues with our neighbor's dog jumping into our yard, even though our house is fenced. This same dog has even bitten me on the face and near the eye, and the neighbors have done nothing about it. A year later, we got a new male dog, a Pitbull mix who has been sterilized. However, I noticed that his mood and energy have drastically decreased and he isn't his old self. I later saw our neighbor's small male dog through the window trying to hump my dog, which ended up attacking it on our doorstep. This isn't the first time their dog has attacked ours. We have been telling the neighbors about their dog for years, but their dog still manages to get into our yard. I fear for my dog's life because he doesn't even try to defend himself.

By |2023-04-24T11:56:35-04:00March 3rd, 2023|

Dog/Probate

My boyfriend and I joined homes last May and we both have dogs. He passed away in November now his parents are trying to take the dog. What can I do? I have had this dog for 10 months, during which time I have been caring for and loving her, as well as paying for all of her expenses.

By |2023-04-21T20:05:26-04:00March 3rd, 2023|
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