A Madrid court has ruled in favour of a woman, awarding her €600 in damages after her ex-partner barred her from seeing their shared dog for 10 months. The couple had agreed on joint custody of their husky, but the man unilaterally broke the agreement.
This pioneering decision highlights the growing recognition of pets’ emotional value in legal disputes. The judge emphasised the significant distress caused by the prolonged separation from the pet, likening it to the loss of a family member.
“For me, as I don’t have children, my dog is like my child, part of the family, one of the most important things in my life. I requested compensation because the 10 months without Heman [the dog’s name], considering a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, is a long time. It’s the only way to make others think twice before doing the same, knowing it won’t be cost-free,” explains M.V. She now alternates care for the dog monthly, following the court ruling, which is final and cannot be appealed
A first-of-its-kind ruling
The ruling is considered groundbreaking by animal rights lawyers. The woman, identified as M.V., expressed the emotional impact of losing contact with her dog, Heman, for such a long period. Though the couple registered the dog’s microchip under her ex-partner’s name, the court found this irrelevant when it came to their mutual agreement over the pet’s care.
Growing importance of animal law
Animal rights lawyers are celebrating this decision as a milestone. Especially since it marks a shift in how people treat pets legally in cases of custody disputes. Typically, these cases arise when couples separate, and one party refuses to honour joint custody agreements. Experts hope this ruling sets a precedent for future cases involving shared pet custody. This comes as Spain’s animal protection laws continue to evolve. A recent ban on the sale of pets in stores came into effect, shifting the focus to animal welfare across the country.