Pet Custody Disputes: The Battle Over Fido

Louie was the life of any party. His shiny furry coast, and he ability to roll on the floor and twirl, kept guests entertained for hours.

When Marvin and Sherry chose to divorce, a tug of war ensued over who would get Louie, the chosen canine they saved from a shelter six years ago.

Sherry argued that he was her dog because of she cared for him daily with fresh food and water, plus snacks galore. Marvin insisted that Louie is a man's pet as he enjoys tagging along for deep sea fishing trips with the guys and walks in the park along the lake.

Like a child, Louie became a hotly contested member of the family, who brought comfort and solace to the couple during their difficult split. In fact, upon moving out of their town home, Marvin tried to take Louie with him only to be pelted with shoes, pillows and other items to prevent Marvin's escape with Louie. No charges were pressed. However, the emotional roller coaster the couple experienced in the divorce didn't include an impasse over Louie.

Reports show that more than 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Of that number, about 65 percent of those unions include the ownership of a pet. When couples can't agree on the future of their furry friend, or pet visitations, one spouse may seek recourse in a court of law. Let a judge decide who will keep Louie.

Key questions that may be asked when considering awarding a pet to the husband or wife is whether the children are emotionally bonded with the pet. If so, it will most likely be better to have the dog live with the ex-wife and kids.

Who really owns the pet and takes it to the veterinarian for checkups and shots? How often do either party see the pet or take time with it? To learn more about solutions to pet custody disputes read the Forbes magazine article How Are Pets Handled In Divorce?

Some pet owners divide the dog or cat's time between homes, thus alternating weekends, weekdays and holidays to ensure the animal is emotionally balanced when two owners no longer live together. In very rare cases, the pet parents decide to give their animal to a loving, caring home that they both can mutually visit without seeing one another. Still another option is to spend time with Fido at the local pet park or take him or her for a pet spa bath or nail trim to maintain a lasting bond. To learn more about pet custody options read the Time.com article Who Gets Custody of the Family Dog?

When divorcing, pets are just as important as any emotional attachment. The stress that develops when something tangible is taken away during a divorce can result in anxiety attacks, hives, heart palpitations, unrest, and emotional trauma. Buy a leash and collar for both parties and share Louie's love from a distance.