girlfriend suing me for dog, what kind of lawyer do i need

by Taylor Connelly DVM 9 min read

What do you do if someone won't give your pet back?

The pet owner's recourse follows two main courses of action: you can attempt to negotiate for the return of the pet. Or you can also file a court action to determine the legal ownership of the pet and mandate return of the pet to the rightful owner.

Can I sue my ex for the dog?

We often receive the question, can I sue my ex for stealing my dog? The answer is yes! Disputes over pets are very common in small claims court.

Who keeps the pet in a breakup?

In the event of a simple breakup, the person who bought the dog usually gets to keep possession. The exception is when the dog was bought as a clear gift to the other partner. In that case, the dog may belong to the recipient.

Can my boyfriend take my dog?

The only legal way that he could take your dogs from you is if he sued you in court and won. He has absolutely no right or reason to come onto your property and steal your dogs. If you do not have a protection order are ready, it might be worth it for you To get one.Jul 19, 2018

How do you prove ownership of a dog?

Proof of ownership of a dog will vary from family to family but can include such matters as evidence of a purchase, registration with the Kennel Club, evidence that the dog in question is micro-chipped with the micro-chip registered to the family, veterinary records, insurance etc.Mar 2, 2019

What do you do if someone steals your dog?

If your dog is stolen, immediately report the theft to police, call your microchip company and any lost-dog or stolen-dog databases that you know of in your area, including local shelters. You should also distribute fliers and get the word out on social media.

How do I legally transfer ownership of a dog?

To transfer a pet to someone else, you'll need to sign a transfer of pet ownership agreement and transfer your pet license and microchip registration. You can find templates for transfer of pet ownership agreements online.

How can I share my dog with my ex?

How to make a dog parenting plan after a breakup
  1. Decide if there will be a primary caregiver.
  2. Make a calendar or spreadsheet for sharing time.
  3. Create a savings account for expenses.
  4. Keep the dog on the same routine in both homes.
  5. When in doubt, get legal advice.
  6. Get a prenuptial agreement for dogs (i.e. a “pupnup”)

Should you let your ex see your dog?

Chances are, your ex might not even be capable of handling a pet. If this is the case, no matter how much they insist, don't let them have your dog. Even if they are responsible and you still don't wish to share a pet with them, it's alright. Sometimes it's okay to put your interests first.Mar 2, 2020

Does a microchip prove ownership?

This means this person has legal responsibility for their dog and can be held responsible if the dog falls foul of any law, including straying or causing injury, but it does not prove legal ownership.Jul 12, 2021

How does a breakup affect a dog?

They could withdraw,” he says, “or it can make them nervous — pacing around, whining, becoming destructive where they hadn't been before.” It's easy to see it as sadness over the breakup itself, but really, he says, it's a reaction to the change in ambiance.Feb 15, 2017

Can I get my dog back after rehoming?

Once a dog has been adopted by a new family, there's nothing we can do to get them back, as legal ownership of the dog has been transferred to the adopter.

Avoiding A Lawsuit

  • If you have a big dog or one that shows signs of aggression (whether because it likes to eat, likes to sleep, likes to hoard its toys, or likes to bite people -- the reason doesn't matter), you need to protect yourself by keeping the dog away from people, muzzling it when it is around people, and strictly following all animal control laws (like leash laws, anti-trespassing laws which apply to do…
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If You Are Sued

  • If you are sued, you need to turn the matter over to your renters insurance or homeowners insurance; if you were on the job, turn it over to your employer because an employer is required to defend employees from suit. If you own a business and the incident occurred in connection with business activities or on business property, turn it over to your commercial general insurance ca…
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If You Receive A Letter from An Attorney

  • If you receive a letter from an attorney who represents the victim, respond to it. If you ignore it, the next person you will see will be a sheriff with a court subpoena! Be nice to the attorney and his or her staff. Give them your insurance information (homeowners or renters). Answer their questions about insurance -- but not about the dog and not...
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Advice Given in An Actual Case

  • The following is from an exchange of e-mail between Attorney Kenneth Phillips (the author of Dog Bite Law) and a dog owner who was being sued. The dog owner's message did not make clear whether she was facing a claim or an actual lawsuit; her inquiry was focused on the $1 million claim being made against her. Here is how Attorney Phillips responded: There is the case, and th…
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