Dog Custody Battle Racks Up $60K in Attorney's Fees
A 34-year-old New York City man who says he considers his dog his son has spent over $60,000 so far on legal fees fighting his ex-girlfriend in a cross-country court battle for custody of a puggle named Knuckles.
Craig Dershowitz says he has gone through his life savings in a so-far-futile effort to get the pug-beagle mix dog back to his home in the Big Apple, reports the New York Post. He contends she kidnapped the pooch and moved to California; she says Dershowitz unconditionally gifted Knuckles to her.
In a claimed tactic more often complained of in matrimonial cases, Dershowitz also contends Sarah Brega has deliberately run up the legal tab in the Manhattan Supreme Court custody case to force him to give up.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to keep it going. Not too many attorneys are working pro bono,” he told the newspaper.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “After $40K Legal Battle, Judge Gives Fractured Couple Joint Custody of Pet Pug”
ABAJournal.com: “Chihuahua Bought By Wife Isn’t Community Property, Appeals Court Rules”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge in Dognapping Case Awards Canine Custody to Caretaker, Orders Original Owners to Pay $16K”
ABAJournal.com: “Pet Custody Cases Proliferate, Divorce Lawyers Say; One Shares Custody of Dudley Dachshund with Ex”
