The Battle Over "Fido" Becomes More Common
It was the mid 1980’s. I had recently begun a new job at a small firm that handled a lot of divorce cases when my employer approached me about arguing a motion involving custody and visitation for a five year old named Max. Thrilled to be given such an important responsibility so early in my career with that firm, I jumped at the chance.
As far-fetched as it may seem, “custody” of the family pet is becoming an increasingly common issue in divorce cases. In recent years, pets have achieved a status within the family unit that was previously unheard of. While a generation ago, families may have formed “attachments” to their pets, today, it is not uncommon for pets to be considered actual “members” of the family, much the way children are – especially in families where the couple is either childless, or has children who are grown and have moved away.
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Then I looked at the case file. Max was not a five year old boy; Max was a five year old beagle, whose owners were divorcing and were at odds regarding where Max should live post-divorce.As far-fetched as it may seem, “custody” of the family pet is becoming an increasingly common issue in divorce cases. In recent years, pets have achieved a status within the family unit that was previously unheard of. While a generation ago, families may have formed “attachments” to their pets, today, it is not uncommon for pets to be considered actual “members” of the family, much the way children are – especially in families where the couple is either childless, or has children who are grown and have moved away.
