Pet Custody Dispute Nebraska

Summary

Don is in a dispute over the custody of a shared pet, Beast, in Nebraska. He is concerned about Beasts welfare due to drug use in the home. He has been gathering evidence, including photos and videos, to support his claim of being the primary caretaker and to show the harmful conditions in the home. He is planning to consult with a local attorney to understand the legalities of pet custody in Nebraska. He is also considering reporting the situation to local animal welfare organizations and authorities.

Full Conversation

I need to speak with an attorney, am low income and struggling
What specific legal issue are you facing? This will help me provide you with the most relevant information.
It may be stupid but i moved in with a friend about a year ago and we, the both of us, rescued a puppy from a neighbor. when we took the pup in we have shared costs and i.am the only one to play with him, carol and her daughter barely get out of bed and take care of themselves. I left the apartment for a couple week and when.i returned for some clothes the apartment has been.turned into a drug.den, the.smoke was dense and carol doesnt .care. traffic is nonstop.and the pup doesnt.get.sleep.and im afraid one of the.tweekers will spill something and the dog.will die.
What state are you currently residing in? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
Nebraska
What actions have you taken so far to address this issue?
Contacting any help, carol and her daughter have a vendeta against me and want to tear my heart out by keeping him. Im moving to oregon asap and my doctor will sign off on my needing a companion animal. Beast, our 7lb terrier terror, is attached to me, im the only exercise and tlc. I spoil him and carol gives me flack and says "hes just a dog" thats how much she cares, ive spoiled every dog ive had. They are family. Carol already has a dog.and keeps reminding Beast he will always be No *.. i will NOT leave him in a dangerous home.
Have you reported the unsafe conditions to any animal welfare organizations or local authorities?
Thet is next. Ive studied this and the three of us all have a claim. The daughter paid no the daughter paid no attention.to Beast until a month ago when they decided they wanted me out so their drug dealer could move in. The daughter hates me and they only.want to keep the pup to hurt me
Have you considered filing a police report about the unsafe conditions in the apartment, especially the drug-related activities?
Im going to wait until im ready to move...they will make it hell for me
What evidence do you have to prove your claim of ownership over the dog?
There are three of us, carol and i have paid for everything. I have done all the play with him, i know my dogs and a firecracker like Beast needs a ton, carol and her daughter give nothing.
Do you have any receipts or documents that prove you shared the costs for the dog's care?
All we would have are grocery receipts.. he needs fixed and vaccinated and that would not happen with them ..everyone of my dogs have had the full treatment and, it will be the same with. Beast. Im concerned with his total welfare, carol does not care she just wants to.use him as s weapon
Do you have any written agreement or text messages that show Carol agreed to share the dog's ownership with you?
Nothing in writing but its always been a silent agreement thst.Beast is OUR dog but that changed in.the last month when the drugs came calling
What steps have you taken to ensure Beast's safety in the current environment? In Nebraska, animal cruelty is a crime and can be reported to local law enforcement or animal control.
All i can do is drop by as often.as i
Can you provide any evidence of the drug activities or the unsafe conditions in the apartment? This could be crucial in proving the environment is harmful for the dog.
I snuck some photos but i could get hard evidence but dont want police pinching me for. Im gonna try and go over tonite and get.some video and audio
What kind of photos and evidence do you have? It's important to know that in Nebraska, it's illegal to record someone without their consent.
Pics of them smoking meth, sorting.out pills
What is the exact location of the apartment where these activities are taking place? This information can help in reporting to the local authorities.
* Hammond Ln Apt *. My doctor wants me to get a companion animal and Beast would be a perfect fishing partner
What is the breed and age of Beast? This information can be useful in case you need to report him missing or stolen.
About a year old, rat terrier and chihuahua and he is glued to.me when im there..
What steps have you taken to ensure Beast's safety in the current environment?
He is a love
What steps are you planning to take to ensure Beast's safety until you can move him to a safer environment?
All i need is the backing of the law and i could take him today..but if i just walk in.to.take him therr probably.be bloodshed
What evidence do you have that shows you've been the primary caretaker of Beast? This could be crucial in a legal dispute over pet ownership.
Thats the trouble, like i said, carol and i have shared food and other but ive been his world, he shows it, i am his favorite human and i know he would miss me to the point of him giving up, i cant stand the thought...when i first visited, he freaked out (in.a happy way)
Do you have any witnesses who can attest to your role as Beast's primary caretaker and the unsafe conditions at the apartment?
Carols drug friends, if they will be honest..
Do you have any other non-drug related friends or neighbors who could vouch for your relationship with Beast and the conditions at the apartment?
Since ive been here i finally realized i.was invited here as an extra paycheck. If they lie. Id want a polygraph, im gonna call pet rescue and the humane society and tell all
What is the contact information for the local animal welfare organizations or authorities you plan to report to? In Nebraska, animal cruelty is a crime and can be reported to local law enforcement or animal control.
I have to look but its the Box Butte humane society and the local pet.rescue to start
What is the contact information of the Box Butte Humane Society and the local pet rescue?
Thr humane society *รท* and Paws pet rescue *-*-* im calling now. Carol and i shared food and all equally i am his main source of attention, we play fetch non stop. Carol cant even pick up the ball
What is the specific legal issue you're facing? Is it related to pet custody or animal welfare?
Its not so much legal but when i came i pay rent and food costs but carol constantly told me the landlord was not to know because it would break her lease
What is the exact clause in Carol's lease that would be violated if the landlord knew about your living arrangement?
She never let me see it but she was clear that the apartment was only leased for * people
What is your current living arrangement with Carol? Are you living in the apartment full-time or part-time?
Im currently in a motel until the first part of August when ill be moving to Bend Oregon. A true friend of mine has the house waiting and she has a Chi-,pom about Beasts size
What is your legal concern regarding this situation?
I guess not so much legal but i have mail saved from the first month i came here all the way up to today. I have already put together a packet of the mail and will drop it off at the landlords if i need.to
What is your purpose for collecting and potentially sharing this mail with the landlord?
Desparate times....i saw this coming and needed to cover my butt
What is your main concern about sharing this information with the landlord?
Like i said im crying inside and in my desparation i thought it would give me leverage
What kind of leverage are you hoping to gain by sharing this information with the landlord?
Id advise carol before lid turn it over maybe to negotiate...im so frazzled
What are you hoping to negotiate with Carol?
If she would give me custody,
What type of custody are you referring to? Is it related to your pet, Beast?
Permanent, carol has a dog and Beast would just be a poor redheaded stepchild
What evidence do you have to support your claim for Beast's custody?
I read up as much as i could and since weve been sharing everything i still was the only.source of play, exercise and attention. Im on top as far as the love, he will have the happiest life with me fishing hiking, with carol he would be stuck in.the house and continuall be sleep deprived and in danger of dying from drugs
What evidence do you have to prove that Carol's environment is harmful to Beast?
I was a newspaper reporter for 20 years and covered many stories like this. Not only does he face a fog bank of meth and tobacco smoke plus.the meth absorbes into the carpet and furniture as well as anything that gets spilled. Im going over this evening and will get more pics and audio
What steps have you taken to document the harmful environment Beast is currently living in?
Im taking.pics and video . It will show all
What is the nature of the harmful conditions you're documenting in the pictures and video?
These guys hitting a water pipe and the fog will show up clearly
What are your plans for using this evidence?
If she cant be reasonable i will go to the lanflord and cops, dont want to cause them harm but using an innocent animal as a knife to stab me in the back
What is your location? This will help me provide you with the relevant laws and contact details for local authorities.
You can email to donaldsauer706@gmail.com. im still in alliance until the first part of august. Beast would have a wonderful place to live including a big yard to burn off his limitness energy, hes small but cant be confined indoors like he eould staying here
What evidence do you have to prove that you can provide a better environment for Beast?
I could provide statements from friends that knew my last best friend, Damien. A chi-pom Who left me just over a year ago after 13 years together. I still cry. People know what he meant to me we were inseperable.
What is the legal status of pet custody in your current location? In many places, pets are considered property and disputes are resolved accordingly.
What ive read is that ownership is the key and we are in.a position we have both been equal in.monetary support ive been far more the provider of much more. Her daughter, who is psychotic. Never paid attention to him until a month ago. She has always hated me and wants me gone and she will do anything to hurt me
What evidence do you have to prove that you have been the primary caretaker and provider for Beast?
I can likely get at least a confirmation from some of carols drug buddies or just turn beast loose on us and see who he smothers
What kind of confirmation are you expecting from Carol's friends?
I think a couple are honest enough. Its got me so frightened. A new home, drug free is what would be waiting
What steps have you taken to ensure your new home in Bend, Oregon is ready and suitable for Beast?
Its with s good friend who i worked with as a CNA a few years ago. A hell of a worker and as big a dog lover as me...ill have her send me pics
What kind of environment and care can your friend provide for Beast in Bend, Oregon?
She has a small dog of her own, i know we eould be taking the boys for walks and the dog park. She is drug free too
What evidence do you have to prove that Carol's environment is harmful to Beast?
A bit more video and ill have enough.
What specific harmful conditions are you hoping to capture in the video?
The smoke fog. Bongs and pipe as well as the product all over the coffee table plus pics of some obviously obliterated people
What is the legal status of pet custody in your current location, Alliance?
Proving ownership, which in this case will be determined by who is giving him the attention he needs.
What steps have you taken to legally establish your ownership of Beast?

In Nebraska, pets are considered personal property. The court may consider factors like who purchased the pet, who cares for the pet, and who spends more time with the pet.
Thats what im trying to find out. I would license him but i need to get him fixed and vaccinated, something ive done religiously with my pets, carols other dog is 6 years old and never been vacinated because carols excuse is "hes an indoor dog, he wont need them, just a waste of money.
Have you considered consulting with a local attorney to discuss your options and understand the legalities involved in pet custody in Nebraska?
That is one of my next calls. I thank you for your help
What is the name and location of the attorney you are planning to consult? It's important to choose a lawyer who specializes in property law or animal law, as they can provide the most relevant advice.