California judges can decide pet custody in divorce cases

Sydney Isenberg
10:15 AM, Sep 28, 2018
pet custody | divorce | law | wellbeing

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: A dog attends the Oscar De La Renta front Row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios Terrace on September 11, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)

Mike Coppola
Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Animal owners say their pets are like their children. Now, they could be treated similarly in divorce cases.

Governor Jerry Brown has signed a new law that will allow judges to make custody decisions of pets based on their wellbeing. Originally, pet custody would be decided based on who adopted or paid for the animal. Now, factors such as who walks the animal, feeds the animal, and provides more for the animals overall wellbeing will be taken into consideration. Judges can also order one spouse to provide food, money, and medical care for a pet before a final custody ruling.

The new law will take effect on January 1. 

Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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