Many people consider their pets part of their family. It might sound silly, but the emotional attachment people forge with their furry friends is genuine.
That creates a dilemma when couples divorce as they are forced to decide who keeps the animal. Traditionally, family courts have treated animals like property, awarding custody to whoever purchased the pet.
But a new law passed in Alaska is making waves in the world of animal law. The amendment makes Alaska the first state to require courts to consider the well-being of the animal and empowers judges to assign joint custody of pets.
David Favre, a law professor at Michigan State who specializes in animal law, joins DadsDivorce Live to discuss the implications of the statute and other trends regarding pet custody in divorce.
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