Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California
Defamation of character.
My neighbors called animal services on us w/ a bogus complaint. I feel this is a defamation of my character because i take very good care of my dogs. they thought they were abandoned because we were gone & actually there was someone w/ no car at our house. so now we have to meet with an officer & in our neighborhood that is very embarassing. Can we do anything about this legally towards them?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Defamation of character.
If you have to now meet with animal control, then you can't prove that the neighbor lied.
Re: Defamation of character.
No. Reports to government agencies are generally privileged and cannot form the basis of a defamation lawsuit. Even if this call were subject to litigation, only a false statement of fact that harmed your reputation would be actionable. Reporting their belief that your animals had been left alone isn't a statement about you at all, let alone a false one. It also didn't damage your reputation since animal control has no reason to think you mistreat your pets.
Be glad you have a neighbor who cares about the welfare of animals, and try not to do anything that would make them reluctant to report any real problems that might occur in the future.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
