In September I posted Custody Is Going To The Dogs, discussing the attachment we have to our dog, something not easily broken up even when the family is.
Because of this, courtroom custody battles over the family dog have been popping up around the country.
What it didn’t cover was what the dog (or cat) goes through. I saw an article out of the UK stating that an animal charity has claimed that when a relationship is over it has an effect on the animal.
The increasing frequency of relationship breakdown means pets are developing obsessive and compulsive disorders, including self-harming and cats sucking or chewing on woollen items such as blankets, because of the stress caused by their owners breaking up.
Leading UK veterinary charity, the PDSA (Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals) is now urging owners to make the well-being of their pets a central part of the process of agreeing a separation.
The key to this article is the word “claimed”, there wasn’t an official study. All the same, it is interesting. Do think think there is any validity to the claim? Give me a bark.
