Question
I have had my nephews dog for over a year, and they were not doing what they were supposed to do to help take care of this dog while this dog was in my possession. So, after a year a gave her to someone that will take care of her. Now my nephew is threatening to press charges against me. Can he do that?
Answer
If the police are contacted, the police will consider the evidence and decide whether or not to get involved. However, the police do not usually get involved in pet custody disputes. Rather, the police often tell people that it is a civil (not criminal) matter. People who believe that their animal is being wrongfully withheld can commence a civil lawsuit to try to get the animal returned (and/or sue for money) although after an animal is re-homed it becomes difficult to get the animal returned.
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