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.

Can they enforce a leash law on 15 acres?

My neighbor of 25 years is calling animal control on me because my dogs, she indicates, trespass to her property. The issue is we live on 15 acres and where she is referring to is woods in which there isn’t a fence line, but a shared woods property line. She places trail cameras out and then calls animal control when my dogs go to the woods to chase deer. The county I live in has a leash law. So what recourse do I have? This is a farm, not a subdivision.

By |2021-08-30T13:35:51-04:00August 30th, 2021|

My dog has killed another dog in my own home.

So, we have a dog who has never been vicious towards people in any way and rarely does anything towards other animals. Unfortunately another dog had been left in our home to watch while we were away. Said other dog was a small dog who tried to assert dominance a few times. Unfortunately the latch on the kennel wasn’t completely latched and we don’t know what happened other than it looks like our dog bit him and he had died....

By |2021-08-30T13:30:19-04:00August 30th, 2021|

Can abusive owner get dog back?

If a dog was taken from an owner due to animal cruelty can the owner get the dog back? I called on a neighbor of mine and I’m just hoping he won’t hurt the dog again.

By |2021-08-30T13:23:28-04:00August 30th, 2021|

Neighbor dog attacked mine on my property.

I live in small town, Washington. There is no animal control. My Neighbor regularly has her dogs off leash in her unfenced yard. Every time I have my dogs in my yard and hers notice, her dogs run to my yard and attack mine. The sheriff tells me I need to ask her to leash her dogs before bringing mine outside our fence both in my own yard and on the city street and sidewalks near her house. I cannot safely use my own yard for my dogs as long as hers are outside their fence. Do I have any legal repercussions? I have video evidence of their dog attacking mine in my own yard.

By |2021-08-17T16:59:48-04:00August 6th, 2021|

I am being sued by the adoption agency for breach of contract.

I am being sued by the adoption agency for breach of contract and they want the dog back. I purchase a dog from a rescue over a year ago we gave them the check, signed paperwork, and currently have the dog registered with LA County, and the chip registered also in our name. The adoption agency is saying that they want the dog back for breach of contract because we didn’t allow them to come for a wellness check.

By |2021-08-17T16:55:02-04:00August 6th, 2021|

Are rescues allowed to set their own adoption rules?

During the home check procedure I applied for an indoor only cat but she is desperate to go out. The rescue has said that if I let her out they can take her back. Is that true? I did sign a contract but the contract said nothing about indoor/outdoor. Are rescues allowed to set their own rules or does there need to be some legal standing behind their rules?

By |2021-09-09T17:32:40-04:00August 5th, 2021|

How can I get back a cat I surrendered if he was adopted?

I have surrendered my cat because I thought I was moving away to a different state, and I couldn't drive 20 hours or more with him in the car. Later, something changed and I didn't have to move anymore, and my son wants the kitty back because he misses him so much. He feels sad every week from not having his cat. I contacted the place where I surrendered my cat and they told me he was adopted and they won't let us see him. How can I get my cat back if he was adopted?

By |2021-06-02T11:52:55-04:00June 2nd, 2021|

Breeder gave my puppy to someone else.

I decided to buy a puppy from a breeder in TX. I drove 6 hours to choose the puppy and paid my deposit. Breeder regularly sent me pics of her, and when the pups were ready to leave I drove down to get her, but found out that he accidentally gave her to another family. Says he can't get her back. I'm a wreck. What are my options?

By |2021-06-02T11:45:58-04:00June 2nd, 2021|
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