Need Help With Pet Problems or Animal Cruelty Charges?
If you’re dealing with problems related to a dog, cat, or other pet—whether your own or someone else’s—it may be time to speak with an attorney. The type of lawyer who can help you may depend on the problem you’re facing. If you’re facing criminal charges for animal cruelty or neglect, a criminal attorney can help defend your rights. If your pet has been impounded (for instance, because it bit someone or because of suspected animal cruelty or hoarding), an animal law attorney can help you through the process of trying to get it back. if you bought or adopted a sick pet, or your pet died or suffered as a result of veterinarian malpractice or incompetence, a lawyer specializing in animal law, contract law, or personal injury law should be able to explain how the law in your state (including “lemon laws” for pets) applies to your situation, as well as your legal options for seeking compensation for your losses. And if someone else’s dog bit you, a personal injury lawyer can explain how the dog-bite laws in your state will affect the owner’s liability for your injuries.

Looking for a Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by area of law and geography. You can also search for attorneys by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be responsible for your case. Consider bringing a list of questions you’d like answered and any documents you have that are related to your pet problem. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult with. First and foremost, you want a lawyer you can trust.

What to Ask a Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including questions about:

• the lawyer’s experience with cases like yours
• who else will work on your case
• attorneys’ fees and other expenses related to the case
• how long the case might take, and
• the lawyer’s initial impressions of your situation and legal options.