The Family Pets When the Family Breaks Up - Legal Advice

When a family splits up through divorce it will usually be money and children which calls arguments. However there may well also be battles over which spouse the family dog, cat or even budgerigar will live with. he family pets are considered members of the family and when the family breaks up questions of residence for the animals and even contact rights can be contentions.

Applications to the Courts are being made where a judge is being asked to rule on who is to have a pet where "custody" is disputed. Although new to the UK, where there is no certain precedent or relevant law, court battles over family pets are well established in the USA. In America the courts have started to follow the principle applicable to children of what is in a pet's best interest. A Virginian court recently decided that a cats happiness took priority over the property rights between the parties.

The courts in the UK will adopt a more traditional approach in which an animal is considered a chattel and matrimonial property just like anything else. Although this may well be good law, pets are not the same as the family car, washing machine or three-piece suite and things become much more emotional. Disputes over animals have been known to predominates and take over from everything else when otherwise an amicable division of the family assets could have been agreed. The family pet is the sticking point, often providing an outlet to vent personal frustrations which might otherwise not have surfaced.

Most cases involving animals are settled before they reach the point of having to be decided by a judge. The costs involved in employing a lawyer for days on end to argue a claim for a favourite pet would be prohibitive. Notwithstanding the question of cost, the best approach, however attached you may be to the animal, remains to try and negotiate an agreement With the law as it is in England and Wales, the best interest of the pet will not be considered and the pet will continue to be treated as the parties personal property. And as any lawyer will tell you, the best way to divide up personal property is with the toss of a coin.

Where there is a pet to whom you are particularly devoted it is always best to discuss what should happen in the event of a breakup and record this in a separation or post nuptial agreement. Above all, always be realistic about the practicalities of keeping a pet if you are going to be by yourself. Think how it will fit in with your living arrangements and working hours. In particular never try to take a pet away from your children. Be open to a compromise agreement with shared care of the pet. Most important, as with children always remain calm around the pet as they can be very sensitive to conflict which may make them frightened or nervous.

Legal advice and help from qualified lawyers is available online from Legal-Zone. In addition to free information on most usual area of law it contains an advice section where qualified and experienced lawyers will advise you on legal problems.and you can also download very reasonably priced legal documents and e-books.

Dogs and Small Children - Advice and Education

Unfamiliar Dogs

When it comes to small children and unfamiliar dogs you should be cautious and leery. We try to teach our kids about talking to strangers. You should also talk to them about petting and playing with unfamiliar dogs. Although most dogs you come across are friendly; there are some who would rather be left alone. You should take the time to talk to your children about what to do and how to approach a new dog.

Sometimes dogs are put in a situation where they feel frightened or scared. This could lead to them snapping at a child. Another thing to remember is that you should always ask permission before touching an unfamiliar dog. Sometimes even if you ask the owner, they are not necessarily going to tell you if it can be sometimes snappish. So even if they say their dog doesn't bite, still be cautious.

You should teach your child to be aware of the dog's body language and the surroundings you are in. If you are in a crowded noisy area and there are many children wanting to pet the dog all at once, you should be cautious, because the dog may be afraid or excited by all the attention.

You should always pay close attention to the dog and look for signs that they want to interact with you. Some of these signs are tail wagging, attentiveness and an open mouth as if they are "smiling" at you. If the dog is showing fear you should be careful. Some signs that a dog may be afraid are: if their tail is tucked in, if they turn their head away or are licking their lips, or if they have a closed mouth and are hiding behind their handler: these can all be signs of fear. If they are cowering, growling or shaking it may not be the best time for your child to pet the dog.

When Baby Makes 4

There is always an adjustment period when you have a new baby. If you already have a dog in the family there will be extra planning and preparation involved. Many dog owners who do not yet have children have doted on their pet and their dog thinks they are the "baby" of the household.

Planning ahead and thinking about how your dog may react can help minimise the adjustment period. It is wise to make sure that your dog will understand and obey you before the baby arrives. It is a good idea if your dog has completed at least basic obedience training and will follow simple commands such as "sit" and "stay."

Getting your dog ready for all changes that will happen after the baby arrives can be done by getting them used to infants and small children. You can gradually introduce your dog to babies and small children by having family and friends with children visit.

It is also important that they get used to not getting as much attention as before. You may want to gradually decrease the time you spend interacting with your dog months before the baby arrives. This way the dog doesn't associate less attention with having the baby in the house. If you plan ahead the transition period will be less stressful for everyone.

If you have health concerns or questions about your dog interacting with a new baby you should consult your vet. Another thing to keep in mind is that the costs of medical treatments for your dog are high and still increasing. Your smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you piece of mind and the ability to take care of your pet in case of a medical emergency or injury. For just a few pounds a month you will be able to provide the best medical treatment for your pet to ensure a long a happy life.

Dogs and puppies make great companions for children. They will be loyal and protective of them for their lifetime. A child needs to be taught how to play and handle their puppy or dog. They need to be taught that a dog is not a toy or doll and shouldn't be handled roughly.

There has been research done that has shown that it is beneficial for a child to have a pet. It is educational and therapeutic and encourages them to become more responsible and sociable. In today's society we hear so many terrible stories about dogs biting children and some people assume that dogs and children don't mix well. However, if a child and dog are prepared for living together in harmony there is no reason why they can not be best buddies and enjoy many wonderful years together.

Children have to be taught to understand how dogs react in different situations. They must learn that a dog has feelings too and they don't like to have their tail or ears pulled on. They might get mad and snap or bite. They should learn not to suddenly wake their pet from a deep sleep with loud noises. If you take the time to socialise your child and dog from an early age they will grow up to be the best of friends.

Dog bites are common no matter where you live. A large majority of these injuries are preventable if a person is brought up to understand dogs and their behaviours. Most dog biting incidents happen in the home and could be avoided with a little awareness of some common causes why a dog will bite or snap.

Teach your small children not to disturb their dog or puppy when he is sleeping or eating. Also toddlers and young children often unwittingly encourage puppies to chase and bite in play and should be supervised at all times. Both puppies and children have to be taught how to be gentle with each other.

It is wise if both you and your children not to play rough and aggressive games with your puppy as it can encourage aggressive behaviour later on. Another thing to be careful of is not to play fight or taunt the puppy to make him protective or jealous; because this could backfire later if the dog misjudges the situation. It is wise to make sure that your child doesn't force himself on a puppy or dog. They need to understand that a puppy needs quiet time just like them.

Having a dog as a pet will enrich your children's lives. By taking care of a dog a child a can learn responsibility, get exercise and have someone who will be there by their side. It is up to adults and parents to make sure that a child is taught how to care for and how to handle their pet. By having patience and understanding everyone in the family can enjoy and love their four-legged family member.

Pet insurance is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your pet will get the best treatment. You can also buy dog insurance for older pets. They don't have to be puppies to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

Animal Friends Pet Insurance is the UK's only not-for-profit ethical pet and life insurance company. AFI has been trading since 1999 and since then has helped thousands of needy animals all over the world by donating 100% of their net profits to worthy causes. Animal Friends has received several industry awards and is run by former NatWest Businesswoman of the Year, Elaine Fairfax. Buy pet and life insurance online at Pet Insurance by Animal Friends or simply call our friendly staff if you prefer on 0844 55 70 300; the policies won't cost you more and you won't be disappointed!