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.
What can I do if I rescued a cat when I was living with my ex and now he doesn’t want to give him back.
I lost in court 10/2021 to regain my cat 'cause my daugther'd surrended in document on my absence! Can my daugther help me in Court next to get the cat back? How?
People who believe that their animal is being wrongfully withheld can commence a civil lawsuit (replevin action) to try to get the animal returned. Consider that the person who has the dog may allege that the dog was re-homed, not left for a temporary visit. It may be helpful to gather evidence that indicates that the dog was not re-homed, even emails and texts. Veterinary records, microchip, dog license, and other registrations can help to prove ownership but they do not necessary do so in every instance. Courts may consider what transpired after, such as whether an animal was given away, sold, boarded, abandoned, etc.
I know of two dogs that are being neglected. Yes, they get fed and get water, but they don’t get baths nor do they get taken outside and are locked up in the same room 24/7 is there anyway I can get the dogs out of the original owners care and into my care?
I’m just wondering if there’s any way of me adopting my boyfriends dog and both have rights to look after the dog if we ever broke up.
My wife and I split we got 3 German shepherds together and then we split over youngest child. She has 5 dogs and 1 cat on .36 acre lot living in double wide I have sent her a certified letter with visitation agreement with no answer and emailed her too what should I do to get visitation to our 3 animals so I can let them run and play on the 20 plus acres out of city limits.
I gave my dog away because I was depressed and have PTSD I want her back
My sister's cat escaped 10 months ago. The cat was just found by a rescue organization, but they gave it back to a guy who apparently has had the cat for the last 10 months. Shouldn't my sister have legal rights to the cat since she had her first?
I was told I couldn’t adopt a male dog at a shelter due to my male dog at home not being neutered. Are they allowed to do that? My German Shepard was $3000 from a pet store and I just wanted to rescue a dog who is male and who is already neutered and was turned down.
My teenage son had an emotional and mental break down where he ended up hurting our family dog in the process. He was taken to the hospital but the police along with animal control are charging him with animal cruelty and there’s a possibility that they won’t give him back as long as my son is living here with us. It was the first time this ever happened and we don’t know what to do - none of us want to lose our family dog and my son is getting the help he needs. What can we do as a family to try and get our dog home?