A Delaware judge has overturned a lower court decision in a canine custody case involving a disputed dachshund.
The judge this week said a common pleas judge wrongly gave Michael Fosset exclusive possession of a dog he bought at the urging of a former live-in girlfriend.
Fosset's ex claimed the dog was a gift to her, but the lower court said it was jointly owned and Fosset was entitled to possession because he bought it in contemplation of a relationship with her.
The Superior Court said the lower court wrongly expanded a law regarding the "symbolic significance" of gifts in "contemplation of marriage" to include gifts in "contemplation of a relationship."
The judge declared that the dog was simply property with the same legal status as a piece of furniture.

Dachshund at Center of Canine Custody Case
Judge overturns previous ruling in canine custody case
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