Question
My daughter gave me a dog 6 years ago. The dog had to be put down and now my daughter says the ashes belong to her, it was her dog. She said all I was was a body at home. The dog was older and had health issues. She never came to see the dog. I was the dog’s sole caretaker and I loved the dog with all that I had. I want the ashes. Who is the rightful owner?
Answer
People who give their animal away generally have no further rights to that animal (including the animal’s ashes). However, sometimes who owns an animal is not perfectly clear. If litigated, the court will make that determination. It would seem that there would be enough ashes for those who loved the dog to share.
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