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.
Does my current dog at home have to be neutered for me to adopt from the shelter? He is 10 and never mated.
I had 2 dogs to rehome due to my husband passing away. I gave them to a friend of a friend. I tried to take them to him, but he said it would be better for them if I didn't. So he took them and I went 2 days later to see them. The yard and house are falling apart, and there's nowhere for them in the yard but a small path and it's really nasty, and the house is falling apart. That's why he didn't want me to take them to him. So I asked him for them back, oh and there's also drugs there, and he said I wasn't getting them back. What can I do?
I got a free dog from a friend because she was homeless. Now she thinks that she might potentially have a home and is considering taking the dog back. I want to know if after 7 days, regardless of if she has done documentation on the dog originally being hers, can she take it back?
I have had my nephews dog for over a year, and they were not doing what they were supposed to do to help take care of this dog while this dog was in my possession. So, after a year a gave her to someone that will take care of her. Now my nephew is threatening to press charges against me. Can he do that?
Who do I need to contact about legal help for compensation for my dog being killed? While on the home owners property both dogs were roaming free. The vet bill would Exceed $10,000 for him to stay alive, but he would not live a normal life.
My family and I went on vacation recently, and left our dog with my aunt for three days. We believed she'd be a fit dog-sitter because she already has a dog of her own. When we came back to retrieve our dog, though, we found that he had obviously been beat up (bloody legs and body, a patch of skin on his nose missing), and he hadn't been fed in THREE DAYS. I'm furious, and wondering if there's anything we can do legally. Not seeking specific advice, just if any options are available. Thank you.
Hello, I bought 2 cats with my roommate over a year ago. My roommate was the one working with the foster family and did paperwork while I just payed for the split cost of the two. Throughout the time we just split everything for the cats. She would get the stuff and I would pay for half. The housing situation became toxic staying with the roommates who have severe mental health issues and I could no longer be there. So I would go there and take care of my cat each morning before work. I never physically saw my roommates because they were either gone or sleeping, but they claim since they have not seen me that I am neglecting my cat and refuse to tell me where he is or give him back. I need help in if I should take this to court and guidance. Thank you.
My sister is a drug and alcohol addict. When I helped move her out of her apartment she had 2 dogs that were neglected. She moved out and I took the dogs. She doesn’t come over my house to look at her dogs or inquire about them. I have now had the dogs for 6 months. Who do the dogs belong to now? Thank you.
Somehow our $2,000 hunting dog got out and we didn't know where he was until we called the pound which at that point they knew it was our dog and that it was an expensive hunting dog, which we also breed and has papers, the whole nine. Then fast forward a couple days and we go to pick him up and they have us sit and wait and talk to a bunch of people, who then proceed to tell us he should stay another day. At which point we asked why, and they told us he had been neutered and treated for heartworms. So we want a lawsuit taken against them if at all possible. Surely they can't grab peoples dogs and do things to the animal against the owners knowledge or consent and get away with it. Thanks in advance.