Travis v. Murray
New York Supreme Court
977 N.Y.S.2d 621 (2013)
- Written by Haley Gintis, JD
Facts
In February 2011, Shannon Louise Travis (plaintiff) bought a miniature dachshund. Travis gifted the dog to her romantic partner, Trisha Bridget Murray (defendant). In 2012 Travis and Murray married. In 2013 Travis filed for divorce. Murray moved out of the marital home and took the dog with her. Travis sued Murray on the ground that she had stolen the dog. Travis also sought to be awarded custody of the dog. Travis argued that the dog constituted her own personal property because she had used her premarital funds to purchase the dog. Travis also argued that it was in the dog’s best interests to award her possession because she was the one who financially supported the dog. Murray argued that the dog constituted her own personal property because she had received the dog as a gift. Murray also argued that it was in the dog’s best interests to award her possession because she provided the dog with emotional support and was responsible for the logistics of caring for the dog.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Cooper, J.)
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