Violent ex is holding my ESA animal hostage and refuses to give him back to me.
I have a registered ESA animal (cat) that my ex-boyfriend is threatening to hide and keep. I had to leave for spine surgery and have been on disability for the past 4 months recovering. I have been unable to retrieve my cat because of this AND due to him being the perpetrator of domestic abuse. I contacted the police station and domestic abuse center (both local and hotline) and have been advised to find out what my rights are. I have had this cat since 2019, he is microchipped under my name (I have vet records as well) and only moved in with my unstable and abusive ex in 2021. I would really appreciate some advice as to how to proceed/understand my rights.