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Hate your neighbor? Of course you do. No one likes their neighbor. Now imagine having to share custody of your beloved pet with your neighbor because a judge forced you to. Now how much more do you hate your neighbor?
According to NY Post, Tina Marie Walker has been ordered to share custody of her dog Elario with her neighbor, David Somerville.
It all kicked off after Somerville took Walker to court claiming he should be awarded sole ownership of the four-year-old lab Labrador retriever mix because “he’s been Elario’s main caretaker, paying for the dog’s food, vet bills and toys.
NY Post
I don’t understand it because in the state of Florida, a dog is property,” Walker said. “He’s licensed to me. I paid for the dog.”
The court record shows that their friendship took a bitter turn when Walker had Elario microchipped and put the registration in her name. Walker then kept Somerville away from the dog, prompting the lawsuit. The shared custody arrangement was worked out by Pinellas County Small Claims Court Judge Lorraine Kelly, who said in a March 8 ruling that it was in the best interests of all concerned.
“Both parties have health considerations that quality time with Elario makes better. Both parties have spent a great deal of time with the dog and witnesses say he shows great affection for both of his humans,” she said.
So what’s the schedule? Well Somerville will now have Elario every other weekend from Friday to Tuesday. With Walker getting the dog the rest of the time. Walker also revealed that she took care of Somerville, a Vietnam vet, after he had lung cancer surgery.
“…Both parties have spent a great deal of time with the dog and witnesses say he shows great affection for both of his humans” https://t.co/hH9CnhenGD
— New York Post (@nypost) April 16, 2018
“I loved him, for two-and-a-half years I took care of him,” Walker said. “So I don’t understand this at all. I’m betrayed, I’m broken-hearted, my dog is split up.”
Anyone want custody of him? Here’s A Giant Hog Wandering An Alabama Neighborhood
Walker will be appealing the ruling. And I don’t know about you all, but Somerville sure does sound like a major tool. Then again, perhaps I’m just upset because I would set everything on fire if I was ever forced to give up my precious pet time.
What do you think of this ruling? Ever heard of something like this?
