Covering Custody Disputes & Stolen Dogs
To sustain this free service, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. This doesn’t affect rankings. Our review process.
Most dog owners consider pets part of our families. So what happens if a dispute arises over who owns a dog? Who gets to retain custody of your family dog when a couple divorces? Or how do you prove ownership if someone steals your dog? Understanding dog ownership laws can help you keep your furry best friend for good during a trying time.
Article Overview
Pet Custody Disputes
A majority of dog ownership disputes involve custody when a couple separates or divorces. Who gets the dog in a divorce?
Written Agreements Are Legally Binding
Of course, the ideal solution is to settle ownership through written dog custody agreement forms that both you and your spouse agree upon. You could even consider a pet prenup.
Most judges will simply honor a written pet custody agreement between divorcing parties because, in the eyes of the law, pets are personal property — unlike with child custody, where the judge doesn’t always solely rely on such an agreement.
How Do Courts Determine Pet Custody?
If you can’t come to a pet custody agreement with your partner, the unfortunate reality is that you’ll have to let a judge decide. Claiming custody of a dog can be different than child custody issues. Why? Because state laws consider dogs and other pets as tangible personal property (like a car, furniture or similar objects), rather than “people.”
For this reason, often the first factor a judge will consider is whether your pet is community or separate property. A pet is considered separate property if one person acquired the pet before the relationship (or if the pet was a gift to only one of the parties during the relationship). In many states, the pet will then go to that person.
On the other hand, a pet is considered community property if both parties acquired the pet during the relationship and can both provide records of proof of ownership. In this case, the judge will then consider many of the same factors as when determining child custody. These can include:
- What’s the physical environment that each pet parent can provide for the pet?
- How much time does each parent have to spend with the pet? What are each person’s work and personal schedules?
- Which person has been the primary caretaker of the pet?
- Who’s able to pay for pet care?
- Are there children who have a bond with the pet? In this case, a judge will likely try to keep the pet and children together.
- Is there a history of domestic violence or drug use? If so, a judge may deem this individual an unfit pet parent.
The good news for responsible pet parents is that today’s legal system is making some strides in treating dogs as part of the family. Some recent court decisions have allowed for shared custody, visitation and even pet alimony — most of these involve dog ownership, rather than cats or other pets.
How Do I Prove Dog Ownership?
There are several ways you can prove ownership of your dog if he gets lost or stolen and someone else is falsely claiming your dog is theirs. In most cases, this involves records that you should already have in place, including:
- Registration & license
- Veterinary records
- Microchip records
- Adoption records
- Transfer of ownership agreement
- Pedigree registries
- Recent photos and video of you with your dog
Tip: Always keep your records up to date and keep copies in case you ever need to prove that you own your dog.
Why Microchipping Can Make All The Difference
Microchipping your dog and registering you as the owner is one of the best ways you can prove ownership, especially when other evidence falls short. Just watch this brief video below. In this case of a nasty custody battle over a lost pup, it would be the pivotal deciding factor.
Was Your Dog Lost Or Stolen?
If you suspect your dog was stolen, be sure to read our article about stolen dog laws., which includes tips on what to do if you suspect someone stole your dog. We also have some helpful information on how to find a lost dog and tips to prevent your pet from becoming lost.
What do you think about the concept of a pet prenup?
What i don’t understood is in fact how you are not actually a lot
more well-preferred than you may be right now.
You’re so intelligent. You understand thus significantly relating to this topic, made me personally consider it from so
many various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it’s something to
do with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. All the time take care of it up!
It’s awesome in favor of me to have a site, which is valuable for
my experience. thanks admin
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically
tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like
this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and
I look forward to your new updates.
Exceptional post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Many thanks!
At this time it appears like Drupal is the top blogging platform out there
right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your
blog?
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge about unexpected emotions.
I believe that is one of the most vital information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But wanna commentary on few basic things, The web site
taste is ideal, the articles is in point of fact nice :
D. Just right job, cheers
If some one wishes to be updated with hottest technologies after that he must be pay a visit
this web site and be up to date all the time.
Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting
company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3
different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a honest
price? Thanks, I appreciate it!
I used to be recommended this website by
my cousin. I am now not sure whether this submit is written by him as no
one else realize such certain about my trouble. You’re amazing!
Thank you!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your
blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
Hello! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
Does operating a well-established website such as yours take a
large amount of work? I’m brand new to operating a blog however I
do write in my journal everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be
able to share my own experience and views online. Please let me
know if you have any recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
Appreciate it!
Hey There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. This is a really neatly
written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to
read more of your helpful info. Thank you for the post.
I will certainly return.
Excellent way of describing, and good post to obtain facts regarding my presentation subject matter, which
i am going to deliver in institution of higher education.
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
I all the time emailed this website post page to all my friends, since
if like to read it after that my links will too.
Each casino in our shortlist above recommends on-line casinos that
are safe and legal to play at in Singapore.
This page certainly has all the info I needed about this subject
and didn’t know who to ask.