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 recourse do I have for a groomer severely cutting my Shih Tzu during a grooming appointment? I took him to the vet, where I paid $350.00 for treatment. Can I get my money back from the groomer?
I have gotten my dog her rabies shot, and that is all that has been done in the 2 months that I have had her. Unfortunately, I have decided to rehome her due to my child's medical condition. Can I just create a simple contract for the new owners I am giving her to, so we can both sign it? This way, in case, God forbid, something happens with the dog, it does not come back to me, especially since her rabies tag is under my name. What should I do?
If my ex takes my dogs to a shelter after stating he will watch them can I sue him for taking them to a shelter without my permission?
My service animal was attacked and killed at a dog park by another dog. The owners of the husky mix did not even attempt to help me restrain their dog; they even tried to flee the scene. Although I made sure to obtain their info, I have made a claim under the liability portion of their renters' insurance. The insurance company says pets are considered personal property, and they will only pay for the economical damages. However, service animals are not considered pets; they are considered "working animals." The direct results from their negligence have impacted my health and disability. Yes, I can be reimbursed for the service animal, but what about the last year I have had to put into the training and the costs that come along with that? I am not able to work due to my disability and was planning on breeding him with my other small dog for income. Wouldn't that be a loss of income too?
My dog had puppies last year, and I gave two of them away. I just found out this week through an ad that one of the puppies I gave away was placed in a shelter sometime last October for being “too hyper”. I have a contract with the woman I gave the dog to stating she is to return the dog to me if she were to ever decide she doesn’t want him anymore. The shelter is trying to say I have to pay the $400 adoption fee, even though my contract shows he was supposed to be given back to me, not a shelter. He’s been there for months.
I was talking with somebody who had puppies available. I even went to go see the puppy. I was guaranteed I would have the puppy on Friday which would be tomorrow. I just received a text today that the puppy was sent to a different home. What are my options? My family was very excited about this. New addition I don’t know why I would be promised a puppy, and then they would rehome her the day before I’m supposed to pick her up. My children are going to be devastated. I am devastated given I had bought so many things for the new puppy that I was guaranteed to be picking up tomorrow… I am so upset. Do I have any options? Can I bring them to court? They have now blocked me off of Facebook and my phone number but I have screenshots of everything. Please let me know. Thank you.
I lost my Chihuahua and she was found by a neighbor who posted on Lost and Found pet website. The next evening I saw the post and immediately responded she was mine and posted my phone number. No response. Next day after I saw the post I found the house where Hazel my Chihuahua was located but the person wasn't there who found her. I left my info if address and phone numbers. He called later that evening and said he'd given her to a friend/co-worker that wanted her. I asked to have his friend call me so I can get her back. But now the friend won't give her back without paperwork proving she's mine. Unfortunately I can't locate paperwork and the places I took Hazel for shots have closed down or it can't locate paperwork. Hazel has very specific markings to prove she is mine though, but the person still won't give her back. Can I fight with photos to get Hazel, my Chihuahua, back?
I had 5 Akita Shepherd wolf mixes that are now 4 months old. I asked someone to watch them while I was gone, and they refused to return them. I want to take legal action for the emotional distress this has caused me.
My dog was stolen, and a police report was filed. Animal control found her and took her to the shelter. They never posted anything about finding her, nor did they scan her for a microchip. Thirteen days later, they contacted me via social media after seeing a post I had made about my missing dog. I explained that she was stolen and that I had a police report, but they said they didn't care about the report and that I had to pay a $200 impound fee plus $15 per day. I don't have that much money, and even if I did, are they legally allowed to require me to pay in order to get my stolen dog back?
My roommate found my cats kitten and gave her to a nonprofit. I want the kitten back and now they’re telling me that she has to go through their adoption process for me to take her back. They also want to vaccinate the kitten and that is not what I want. Please help me. I want her to be cared for (dewormed and spayed) but not vaccinated and they aren’t giving me the option or allowing me to have her back.