Moxie, the things you asked about in the original post, there can be recourse in each case. But these cases cannot be brought in law, they would be considered in equity. The reason is because there is a trust relationship in each situation. The man is the trustee or fiduciary, and the others (kids, dogs, fish) are the beneficiary. The man owes a duty to each and must provide care for each. That care must be adequate. In equity court the judge has full discretion and can create an order to remedy the situation. If that order is disobeyed, then it becomes an issue of law and you can go to jail over it.