Who Gets the Dog? Pet Custody and Divorce on BBC Radio 4
Who gets the family dog in a divorce? That’s the question our co-founder, Samantha Woodham, was invited to discuss on BBC Radio 4’s The Law Show yesterday. The topic of pet custody divorce is increasingly relevant, especially in cases where pets are seen as family members, not just property.
Samantha explored the concept of “pet-nups” – legal agreements about pet ownership in the event of separation. These are becoming more common as courts and couples alike acknowledge the emotional importance of animals during a divorce.
The show also featured the case of FI v DO, nicknamed the “Fido” case, where the family dog became central to the dispute. Yes, really! This case highlights how the law is evolving to consider the welfare of pets in divorce settlements.
During the episode, Samantha shared how pet disputes are now being raised more often in family mediation and legal negotiations. While courts don’t yet treat pets like children, emotional attachment is being taken more seriously.
Also covered in the episode were topics like the rise of AI in law firms and whether convicted criminals should be forced to attend their sentencing.
You can listen to the full episode of The Law Show .
A huge thank you to BBC Radio 4 and The Law Show for having Samantha on the programme!
Author Name: The Divorce Surgery
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