How do I get my dog back from my mother/landlord?
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How do I get my dog back from my mother/landlord?
My mother is my previous landlord; she is also the breeder of the dog. All the paperwork (his vet bill, his shot record, and his microchip) is in my name, which I have with me. However, my mother kicked me out and claims I abandoned the dog so she will not let me have him back.
Asked on March 30, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you did not in fact abandon the dog (e.g. there is no evidence of abandonment; for example, you didn't leave a note telling your mother to keep the dog, or you didn't refuse to pick it up after she asked you to do so), then it's your property, and what your mother is doing is stealing. You have two options: you could try going to the police and accusing your mother of theft; or, if you don't want to do that (or if you do, but the police refuse to get involved, feeling it's a domestic dispute, not a criminal matter), you could sue your mother, seeking a court order forcing her to return the animal.
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