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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.

How can I get service dog out of the pound?

I was arrested for a traffic violation that was not my fault. My service dog was taken to the Animal Control. They are requiring that she be spayed before release and charging me over $400. She went in Friday night and I was released Monday morning, but they were closed Monday and Tuesday. She has saved my life more than once. I do not have that much money and it adds up every day. What can I do? I do not want her sterilized and I need her with me as soon as possible. What can I do?

By |2024-05-20T16:39:25-04:00May 5th, 2024|

My dog is being held for falsely being accused of biting someone.

My dog is being kept by Animal Control for falsely being accused of biting someone. Hearing has been completed and past the 7 days as stated by the hearing for the results. Ten days and no results, and they still have my dog in isolated confinement. No walks, visitors, we can drop off treats & a toy, which we did, but we get no status on how our dog is. Seems to be animal cruelty the way they are treating my dog with being falsely accused. We have done all that we were asked to do on the list to return our dog back to us, but they are still holding on to him.

By |2024-05-20T16:22:52-04:00April 20th, 2024|

Cat Ownership Questions

My girlfriend and I had a cat before we broke up, the cat's chip was registered under my name. During our time I can feel the cat likes my girlfriend more than me, so after the breakup I gave the cat to her while there are no documents/contracts saying this. It has been 2 years, and she is the primary caregiver to the cat although I pay for the insurance. She is rehoming the cat but having difficulties. Can she sue me for animal abandonment during the breakup? I'm a bit paranoid. Thanks

By |2024-05-20T16:16:24-04:00April 20th, 2024|

Fake Abuse Reports

If there is a false report of animal abuse on my dog can I get a defamation lawsuit on them?

By |2024-05-20T15:03:09-04:00April 20th, 2024|

How can I get my dog back?

My dog escaped the house with a bad skin condition and ended up at the shelter before I returned home. The shelter deemed her skin as neglect and threatened to take my other animals (1 dog 1 cat) if we tried to sign her out, so my boyfriend (legal owner) signed her away to them. But I've personally had this dog for 12 years and knows only us as a family. I have the vet I've used for 12 years as well on my side, but he legally can't do anything and told me to contact a lawyer. I've asked the shelter nicely to get her back any way I can but they won't give me a straight answer.

By |2024-05-20T14:52:45-04:00April 20th, 2024|

Rehomed by mistake.

I had gone without sleep for a couple months and I really wasn't aware how much I would miss the dog and the people won't let me visit her.

By |2024-05-06T10:58:14-04:00March 26th, 2024|

Yorkie killed by coyote.

We have used the same couple to board our two small dogs when we travel. The first night, one of the sitters let the 5 lb. Yorkie out free in their front yard with a four-foot fence, not the rear yard with a six-foot block wall. Several minutes later, they heard the yelping of the Yorkie and chased the coyote away, after the coyote had killed my dog.

By |2024-05-06T11:06:54-04:00March 21st, 2024|

Euthanize without consent.

My daughter had her Rottweiler dog many years before her marriage and was a gentle dog and in good health. The vet even had all her records under my daughter's maiden name. Her husband took her dog to the vet and had her euthanized to hurt my daughter because they are having problems. The vet pulled up Nina's records under my daughter's name and never got her consent or never contacted her. Is there anything she can do about this to either party?

By |2024-05-06T11:00:58-04:00March 21st, 2024|
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