New Jersey Court Orders Joint Custody Of a Pet Pug
A New Jersey Court has ruled that a couple, arguing over the custody of their pet pug, would be required to have joint custody.
Eric Dare and Doreen Houseman, who split up after a thirteen-year relationship, had been involved with a three-year court battle over their six year old dog, Dexter.
The case was sent back to the trial court, when the appellate panel ordered a new trial, The panel said that the dog was like a family heirloom, or a piece of fine art, and that the judge should retry the matter, giving weight to what Dexter meant to Houseman and Dare.
In Houseman v. Dare, FM, 08-667-07, the Trial Court then ruled that there would be alternating custody terms of five weeks for each of the parties.
In an interesting twist to the case, the Animal Legal Defense Fund of Cotati, Calif., had advocated for a best-interest-of-the-pet standard. However, the New Jersey Court declined to accept such a standard.
Another move forward in the field of pet law?
Sometimes, pets are being treated more like people than possessions.
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