Barking mad: Worried owners are taking
no chances
Couples worried about pet custody have
started a new trend of “pre-pup”
agreements if they break up.
One in ten sweethearts are signing legal
documents over who gets ownership of
their mutt or moggie if the relationship
hits the rocks.
Research by Co-operative Insurance
found a third of pet owners are worried
over what will happen to their beloved
companion if they separate from their
partner.
Poll loading …
And one in three would be happy to set
up an agreement for the sake of their
pet.
However, where there is no paperwork,
women are more likely to keep Rover or
Tiddles with four out of ten saying they
would take the pet with them, compared
with two in ten men.
According to the study, younger couples
aged 18-24-year were the best
candidates for a pre-pup as four in ten
said they would be willing to sign on the
dotted lime compared with just one in
ten aged 55 or over.
Pre-pup agreements
Overall, four in ten couples said they
were unsure what would happen to their
pet if they broke up.
High profile dog fights include X Factor
judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who
insisted on keeping chihuahuas Buster
and Coco following her split with
footballer Ashley Cole in 2010.
When golfing champ Rory McIlroy ended
his six-year relationship with childhood
sweetheart Holly Sweeney in 2011, the
pair agreed a special custody
arrangement for their dogs Theo, a
labradoodle, and Gus, a cocker spaniel
with visitation rights for Holly.
And Strictly Come Dancing star Mark
Wright won joint custody over chihuahua
Wrighty after breaking up with fiancee
Lauren Goodger in 2011.
Who says they'd take pet in absence of
one?
Jenny Beck, head of family law at The
Co-operative Legal Services, said: “The
breakdown of a relationship can be
extremely difficult and can cause stress
for all parties involved.
“Having a living together agreement in
place between you and your partner
which among decisions such as assets
and payment of bills can include who
would gain custody of a pet in the event
that you did separate can ease the
burden at a very upsetting and stressful
time.”
No comments:
Post a Comment