Who gets the dog? Helping divorcing clients navigate pet custody

As a dog owner and family law solicitor, I find it astonishing that the law on how pets are treated in divorce in England and Wales has not evolved over time to reflect the emotional importance of pets in modern family life.  In contrast, many other countries, including Spain, France, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, have amended their legislation to prioritise animal welfare over ownership. The law currently classifies pets as personal property or chattels, with legal ownership linked to who purchased the animal or in whose name it is registered. After that, the primar...