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.
Is it a crime to leave my dog outside the door of a store?
My dog goes with me everywhere I go. Most people know her and love to pet her, she's very good black lab. A month ago I was in the store for 5 minutes, when I went outside my dog was gone. I was frantic asking all over about the dog and called the police. They met me a couple hours later, I gave them the information. It was late the next day somebody told me she was on Facebook. I contacted the people, met him at the police station and got my dog back. Now I'm being charged with dog stray by the people who took her. I guess I left on good terms with the police. What should I do? Can they do that?
Can landlord evict me over support dog?
My landlord is trying to get me evicted because she is saying that my dog can't be a support animal because it is a Pit Bull.
How can I get papers for my dog that I should have received months ago?
I bought an American Pocket Bully in June 2020 and I still HAVENT gotten my papers to register her. What do I need to do because I paid more then $2,000 for her.
Shelter adopted out my service animal.
I'm a musician (touring artist) and had my service animal staying with my mother for a bit as I was traveling. She lost the dog, when the shelter received the dog, they adopted it in three days. My every attempt to locate my dog has been thwarted and denied by the shelter even though they didn't go through proper protocol. The dog is microchipped and registered as a service animal in my name. Is there anything I can do?