When relationships break down, there can be emotional fights
over who gets the dog or some other domestic pet the couple
shared.
With pedigree dogs costing more than $4,000 these days, there
can be more than just emotion at stake.
While most people love and adore their companion animals and see
them as an important part of their family, under New South Wales
law, a family pet is simply regarded as property, just like a sofa,
bike or toaster.
Regardless of the type of animal - it could be a highly trained
kelpie, guard dog, loyal Labrador, pugilistic pug or cuddly cat -
they all come under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.
Family pets treated as part of property pool in law
