What to do if my ex-roommate will not give be my dog back?
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What to do if my ex-roommate will not give be my dog back?
When I lived in a 3 bedroom apartment I decided to get a dog. My roommate at the time said she would pay 1/3rd of the dog’s adoption cost just because she wanted to. I agreed, knowing that if I paid 2/3rds of the adoption cost the dog would still be my dog. I moved out and since then we’ve been sharing the dog but now she is holding on to her and doesn’t want to give me the dog back, despite multiple attempts. What steps should I take to make her give me my dog back? It’s like a child custody issue but with a dog. And my dog IS my child. I live in a safe, well kept environment and have more than enough funds to care for the animal so she has no right to say that I’m not a good parent.
Asked on September 30, 2013 under Business Law, New York
Answers:
Anne Brady / Law Office of Anne Brady
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You can sue her for return of the dog. File in superior court and do not agree to subject this to arbitration -- insist that you want the dog, not a monetary judgment in your favor. Stick to that. Generally, arbitrators and small claims judges can only award money damages.
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