Pet Custody
At Blanchards Law, we are all animal lovers so we understand how heart-breaking losing a beloved pet can be. We regularly come across pet custody disputes when relationships break down. These are usually about a family dog or cat, but sometimes it involves more exotic animals such as tortoises!
Can we help you?
Please call us on 0333 344 6302 or contact us through our enquiry form. All initial enquiries are free and without obligation.
Please note that we only deal with pets in the context of family relationships. We do not deal with breeders, vets, rescue centres, petlog or anything else which is not a family matter.
“I would like to thank the team at Blanchards for securing the swift return of my dog Remy. They were professional and kept me in the loop, and couldn’t have done anything more to help me in my matter. Also thank you to Claudia for her investigative work to retrieve vital information to my case, writing a letter of claim and communicating between both parties.”
Wendy Ford
What is pet custody and how does it work?
Who gets the dog?
UK law treats pets in the same way as inanimate objects such as cars or other personal items. What this means is pets, eg a dog, is regarded within the UK legal system as a ‘chattel’, meaning they are viewed as an item that is owned a bit like a car or an item of furniture.
However, in many relationships, both parties and also their children feel an incredible closeness and love for the family dog. This can result in drawn out pet custody battles over who gets to keep them.
At Blanchards Law, we fully appreciate that to its owner a dog is more likely to be regarded as a much-loved member of the family. However, it is important not to assume that this is how the court will view it. During a dog ownership dispute, a Court will determine who the owner is. The Court has powers to make orders, such as an order for the return of the dog. They can also order damages for wrongful retention of the dog.
Download our FREE guide
We have written a free guide on the pet custody process. It outlines each step, what we need from you and how we can help.
Get in touch today
Please use the form to make an enquiry or call us on 0333 344 6302 All initial enquiries are free and without obligation.
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Contact us on 0333 344 6302 for a no-obligation call
