Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

I signed an agreement with a neighbor to board my daughters horse while she was at college for $175 per month. After a year these payments became a hardship and I found a friend who would take the horse for us. When I informed the neighbor, she said that her daughter was riding the horse and grew fond of her and if we let her use the fenced 2 acres of our property adjacent to hers for her boarding practices that we would not have to pay the monthly fee. This was a verbal agreement, and she did use the fenced area for these purposes. Three years went by with no problem. After graduation my daughter met us at the property, which we do not reside. Once she observing the condition of the horse, she immediately saw that the horse was in very poor condition. This condition was later verified by certified horse trainers and a veterinarian. When we informed the neighbor that we were taking the horse back, she said no way, that we gave the horse to her. This is not true. After contacting the local authorities, and with ownership papers in hand, the neighbor was forced to surrender the horse into our possesion. Now the neighbor is suing use for three years of boarding plus interest and bogus expenses that were not agreed upon.


Asked on 10/08/09, 11:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

Without a written agreement, she will have a very hard time proving her case. However, you must know that the animal required food and veterinary care in those three years. Do you not feel it is your responsibility to feed your animal and keep it healthy?

If you need an attorney who specializes in animal law, I can refer you to one in Tampa. Email me for the contact info.

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Answered on 10/09/09, 7:53 am


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