Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I have two Pit Bulls that were being watched by some friends and they got out and now they are being accussed of killing a Poodle about two blocks away. My dogs were only out in the alley for about 2 minutes and they came right back in the yard with one of the boys who lived there.My dogs were being accussed so and the person who was taking care of my dogs, talked to Animal Control and they said that they had the dogs in the truck on there way to the pound, but the dogs were at the house still? still concerned on what was going on i called animal control to find out what was going on myself. I was given the same story but also told they would call back and tell me how much it was going to be to get them out. then they said they were being held as dangerous dogs and there would be a hearing to see if it would be turned over to the city attorneys office. Now its went to the city attorneys office and there threatening to kill my dogs and now the bill is up to 800 in boarding fees, what should i expect from the city attorneys office ? Is this going to be like a regular criminal case? I cant get any straight answers, animal controls paperwork is totally untrue about my dogs. what do i do next? any help would be a blessing!!!

thanks for your time

mark and april


Asked on 12/19/09, 6:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Cosmo Taormina Law Offices of Cosmo Taormina

Sounds like a nightmare. The city will have a hearing to determine if your dogs are dangerous. You must be notified of the time and place of the hearing. At the hearing, the city will make its case that your dogs are dangerous. The city must present evidence (witnesses, documents and/or photographs) to prove their theory. You must present evidence to rebut their theory. The City has the burden of proof and must overcome your evidence.

As for the charges for boarding, well, the city charges those to take care of the dogs while the hearing is pending. In other words, the city does not trust you to keep the dogs until they decide what to do with them. You will be charged the money (yes, they can do that and no, you do not have to like it) which you can contest (there is likely some kind of form the city has to do this).

You should get an attorney as soon as possible.

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Answered on 12/28/09, 1:27 pm


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