[ohio] Legal Advice Needed: Can I Be Charged With Trespassing After Retrieving My Dog With Police Escort?

Hey everyone,

I'm seeking some legal advice regarding a situation involving the custody of my dog. My spouse and I are separated, and we've been in disagreement about custody arrangements for our dog, whom I purchased before we got married.

After attempting to reach an agreement with my ex-wife about custody, she refused to comply. I informed her that if she didn't return the dog and agree to our custody arrangement, I would involve the police. Despite this warning, she still didn't comply.

So, I proceeded to contact the police and arranged to have them escort me to retrieve my dog from her residence. However, now my ex-wife and her father are claiming that I trespassed onto their property during this incident.

To provide some context, I'm aware of Ohio's trespassing laws, but I want to make sure I understand my rights correctly. I was under the impression that since I showed up with the police to retrieve my dog and had notified my ex-wife beforehand, I wouldn't be considered trespassing.

However, my concern is whether I could still be charged with trespassing later, even though I was legally on the property at the time with the police escort.

Additionally, I have his dog tags, proof of purchase, and all relevant documentation proving ownership. What steps should I take now to ensure the safe return of my dog, given this situation