Here’s a custody case a judge doesn’t hear very often, a battle over the frozen sperm of a dog. That’s right, there’s a divorced couple feuding over who is entitled to the semen of their three Bullmastiffs.
Karen Scully, who lives in Florida, and her ex-husband, Anthony Scully of Oakland County, are feuding in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac over who legitimately owns semen belonging to Cyrus, Regg and Romeo, all AKC-registered bullmastiffs — lovable, slobbery behemoths. Such dogs can sell for as much as $2,000 each.
The Scullys were hobby breeders in Oakland County until their divorce in 2002. When they split up, they also split up the six bullmastiffs they owned: He kept four of them and she took two with her to Florida. At issue is who gets to claim the frozen sperm, stored at a freezing center in Sterling Heights. Both still raise bullmastiffs.
Anthony Scully, through his attorney, said the semen is his, and that his ex-wife, in moving to Florida, gave up claim. Karen Scully, who appeared in court via teleconference, claimed she has ownership, since the dogs that provided the semen once belonged to her.
Family Court Judge Cheryl Matthews hasn’t ever had this type of issue come before her, and while admittedly a dog lover, told the couple this was a matter for civil court. The case has been assigned to Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman.
Price of AKC Bullmastiff: $2000
Attorney fees for custody battle: $3000
Quickie divorce online : $149
Look on Judge Leo Bowman’s face: Priceless
