Dog Owner Avoids Eviction Just in Time for the Holidays

By: Steve McGilvary

“Cindy” was a 31-year-old Mom living with her husband and their 3 little children in an apartment building near the seacoast. Cindy called 603 Legal Aid just a few days before she had to appear at eviction court. She said her landlord didn’t like her dog, Milo, and had falsely alleged in his eviction notice that Milo had attacked people. Cindy was intimidated by her landlord and feared she would not be able to successfully tell her side of the story.

603LA emailed Cindy a copy of the court’s motion form. 603LA then helped the nervous Mom turn the form into a motion to dismiss which told the true story of Milo, a gentle dog who never hurt anyone or anything.

Cindy gave 603LA an update after her hearing. The landlord became very angry as Cindy and her husband used the motion to dismiss as a springboard for launching into their defense. The landlord eventually lost his cool, looked directly at Cindy’s husband, and demanded the judge give him permission to “throw them out.”  The judge told the landlord to stop “barking” and to keep his eyes on the judge’s bench. The judge, Cindy announced triumphantly, dismissed the case.   

“Thank you for helping us,” Cindy told 603LA. “We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.”

If you are facing an eviction, call 603 Legal Aid at (603) 224-3333 or submit an application online using this link.