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 papers for my dog that I should have received months ago?
I bought an American Pocket Bully in June 2020 and I still HAVENT gotten my papers to register her. What do I need to do because I paid more then $2,000 for her.
Shelter adopted out my service animal.
I'm a musician (touring artist) and had my service animal staying with my mother for a bit as I was traveling. She lost the dog, when the shelter received the dog, they adopted it in three days. My every attempt to locate my dog has been thwarted and denied by the shelter even though they didn't go through proper protocol. The dog is microchipped and registered as a service animal in my name. Is there anything I can do?
They lost my pet’s ashes.
My dog died on 11/13/2020 we waited for a week and a few days the vet just told us that the crematorium has lost my pet, what should I do ?
Neighbor keeps trapping my cats.
My neighbor across the street keeps having my cats trapped and taken away for coming in her yard. She had my dog taken away last year because he got out of house for a minute and she got smart with me, so I told her off and than she called police on dog. She is using the police and animal control to punish me. How can I stop her? My cats are outside animals but well fed. Dry food with a can of mackerel on top daily. Help. I have to stop her. Can I file charges on her for wasting city money by using them to get at me?
How do we change the laws so animals aren’t allowed to be kept in terrible conditions?
I have a neighbor who leaves her young dog outside in her small cement yard all the time. It’s starting to get cold here in Las Vegas and I don’t even want to think about how he/she will survive the summer. I had animal control come out but they said if he/she has food and water and some sort of overhang, then it’s not breaking any laws. I have seen other dogs here in Vegas being kept on porches and similar conditions and it breaks my heart. I have called for a welfare check on these animals as well, to not see any change. My question is how do we change the laws so that animals aren’t allowed to be kept in these terrible conditions. What can I do to help? Thank you!
Can dog shelter force me to neuter my dog?
I adopted my dog in August 2019. I tried to get him fixed but because of Covid, the appointment was canceled. I since then decided to mate him with a friend's dog. Can they take the dog away if I signed a document that I had to neuter him?
How can I get my dog back?
I asked him (a church mate) to take care of my dog this January. When I gave him my dog, I and he agreed to give her back when my situation got better. I asked him to return my dog. But since the day I asked, he keeps avoiding my calls. How can I get my dog back? I have my dog's vaccination record and my dog has a microchip. He is not answering my text or phone at all. Is there any way to get my dog back?
Adopting a Bengal kitten off Craigslist.
I found someone on Craigslist with Bengal kittens they are looking to rehome. We live in Denver CO. I'm just making sure it's not illegal to pay this person money in exchange for a Bengal kitten. I know some states have strict rules about adopting pets.