US sees rise in pet custody disputes

There has been an increase in the number of disputes over custody of family pets during divorce, according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

Around 22% of responding attorneys said that courts are more frequently allowing pet custody cases and 20% cited an increase in courts deeming pets to be an asset during a divorce.

Overall, 27% of the AAML respondents noticed an increase in the number of couples who have fought over the custody of a pet during the past five years.

While dogs and cats represented the two animals most commonly battled for, the choice “other” came in third at 6% and horses galloped to fourth with a 1% total.

In terms of the most unusual animals handled during a pet dispute, some of the AAML attorneys listed: an iguana, python, African grey parrot, and even a giant 130-pound turtle.

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