Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Rights regarding a vet.

My dog needed to go to the vet. He is now doing great but the vet will not let me bring him home until I pay $300 of the bill, meanwhile they are still charging me a daily boarding fee's and other things. I explained that I do not have $300 but If they are willing we could draw up a contract and I will pay them weekly. My question is Can they hold my dog for ransome??

--name removed--Bearce


Asked on 5/16/06, 11:34 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Rights regarding a vet.

In the law your dog is classified as a chattel, i.e., a piece of personal property and in that sense the dog is no different from your car which if you took to a mechanic for repair, the mechanic would be legally entitled to hold it until you paid the repair bill(and charge you storage fees in addition).

From a legal perspective, the same thing applies to the vet and your dog, unfortunately.

Read more
Answered on 5/16/06, 1:41 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Consumer Law questions and answers in Virginia