Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

My mother went on vacation for 3 days and left her puppy in a small enclosed crate without food or water, I went into her house and took the dog with me due to her neglect of it. This is not the first time she has neglected her animals. She has them currently living in her house with urine and fecal matter everywhere. She is now calling me and threatening me with the police. I left her a note of where the dog was and that we will give it back to her when she can take care of it. I looked up MI laws on animal abuse and it seems like she is in violation of a few. What do I do now? Can I go to jail for this?


Asked on 11/27/10, 4:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Shelly Schellenberg MI & FL private practice

You need to tell your mother that if she gets anymore animals, that you will report her to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the authorities...and then do it. If her animals suffer, and you are aware of her inability to care for them properly, you have a duty to prevent this. No, you will not go to jail. Even if she tried to press charges, (she won't), you would only have to explain that you found her puppy, caged with no food or water. You saved that poor animal, keep up the good work.

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Answered on 12/03/10, 4:50 am


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