I really don't know much about the law when it comes to pet custody. I use to share two dogs w/ an ex boyfriend.. and I always took care of them, paid for everything, and they are both listed & licensed under my name. Since our split back in January 07, I gave my ex a chance to prove that we could still share the dogs. He failed b/c he has no time, no responsibility, and their living conditions worsened. I decided that I would not bring them back to his home to visit and they are now living with me fulltime. I have also had to deal with him in other issues, and just recently filed an ex-parte agaisnt him & won. I realized what kind of person he was and he became someone I feared. I am curious to know.. what are the chances of him trying to get my dogs & winning if they are mine and I am the rightful owner? Any information would be appreciated! Thank you!

-Risa

My husband adopted a two-month old pup from the Humane Society in 2003. His ex-girlfriend was very close to the dog, also, so when they broke up they came to a conditional verbal contract regarding the dog. My husband told his ex she could keep the dog for the time being (because she had a yard and my husband was working nights at the time) on the condition that he could see the dog whenever he wanted. At first, his ex followed the contract, but she had the dog when she found out we got married, and has completely ignored my husband and not let him see the dog since then. The last time he saw the dog was the end of June! I know it was a verbal contract so it would be his word against hers, but the adoption papers from the dog are in his name.

My husband has been trying to get a hold of her for several months now to get the dog back for a visit, and she is completely ignoring all of his attempts to contact her, and will not let him see the dog. We know she still lives in the same place, has the same phone number and the same e-mail address--she is simply ignoring us. The situation has torn him up, so we want to take the next step to legal action to get the dog back. However, I haven't found a lawyer yet who will talk to us about the case.

Is it considered Family Law or Animal Rights Law?

At this point, we think if we let his ex know we are serious about taking legal action if she does not respond and let us see the dog, we think she will submit and let him have the dog. We think a strongly-worded letter signed by a lawyer will suffice, but nobody has said they will do it.

So, we considered taking her to small claims court, but my understanding is we can only sue her for money, not for the dog--is that correct? The dog is worth a lot emotionally, obviously, but the adoption was only for $115, so small claims court would not help in this situation, would it?

What are our rights and what would you advise that we do? Any help you can offer or any direction you can point us in will be greatly beneficial.

My boyfriend and I have been living together for almost 2 years now. we got a dog about a year ago. He paid $50 for the dog but I pay for all of the dog's vet bills, food, medicines, toys, and anything else the dog may need. We both love the dog and feel like it is our baby. My boyfriend is threatening to leave me and move 5 hours away. He says that he is taking the dog and he should get him because he paid for him. I would be devistated if the dog were taken away from me. What should I do. Would I win the case if I took this further?

Question
Me & my ex wife had two dogs before getting our separation we agreed to share the dogs. After we finalised our separation she wanted me to only see them on her terms meaning the days that were convenient for her, I told her that I'm sorry I cannot live on only her terms, there was no way to change her mind so I therefor told her to keep them...11 months later I received a formal letter from her & copies of the vet bills stating that she wants me to pay half of the vet bills. There was no contact within those 11 months, plus there was no agreement in our separations concerning the dogs. Will I still be reliable for the vet bills? I now have moved on with my life and have my own dog now. I would truly appreciate any information which can help me ease my mind. Thank You.