Question
What can I do when a humane society knows that I am the legal owner of three dogs, but did not hold them for a reasonable time or try to contact me that the dogs are in their care. They told me they didn't know who the owner was, and they clearly did know because I have been there before, and also gave them shots which they had record of. The records show who the owner is and how to get in touch with me.
Answer
It is unclear why your dogs were taken/seized. Animals seized for cruelty/neglect are often held pending the disposition of the criminal case (although there are exceptions) People who believe that their animals were wrongfully taken and/or withheld can sue to try to get the animals returned. People who lose animals should regularly (at least daily) visit animal shelters to see if their missing animals are there in addition to posting flyers and on social media and contacting local veterinarians. Shelters are generally required to hold lost and stray animals for a specified number of days (the number of days varies throughout the country) before placing the animals for adoption or euthanizing the animals. Consult with an attorney in your state for possible next steps. I hope this all works out for the dogs.
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