A Brooklyn woman is devastated after losing her two dogs, Mary Alice and Henry, in a pet custody battle. Debra Connolly claimed that her former pet sitter was trying to extort the dogs from her, leading to a legal dispute over the ownership of the pets. The judge ruled that Connolly’s ability to care for the dogs was questionable, ultimately awarding custody to the caretaker, Venessa Nina. Connolly, who is out of work and lives on social security disability, expressed her devastation over losing her beloved pets and vowed to fight for their return.
The dogs in question, a 5-year-old Chihuahua named Henry and a 12-year-old puggle named Mary Alice, had been under the care of Connolly’s former dog walker while she faced health issues and frequent hospitalizations. After Connolly passed out on the beach in Long Beach, her dogs were taken by animal control and returned to the caretaker listed on Henry’s microchip. Despite Connolly’s claims that the caretaker only cared about money, the judge determined that the dogs’ well-being was of primary importance in the custody decision.
Judge Aaron Maslow decided that the dogs should remain in the care of the dog walker, Venessa Nina, citing concerns about Connolly’s ability to provide a clean and safe environment for the pets. Although Connolly provided evidence of her ownership and love for the dogs, including letters from friends and her health team, Maslow raised questions about the cleanliness of her former apartment and her ability to meet the dogs’ needs. Nina refused to return the dogs, claiming ownership and expressing concerns about potential animal abuse if the dogs were returned to Connolly.
Despite the court’s decision, Connolly plans to file a pro-se appeal to fight for the return of her dogs. She is unable to afford a lawyer and is determined to continue advocating for her pets. The judge denied any shared custody or visitation rights due to the hostility observed between the parties. Despite the evidence presented by both sides, the judge prioritized the welfare of the dogs, ultimately ruling in favor of the caretaker. Connolly expressed disbelief at the decision and maintained that her former apartment was not unsanitary, challenging the claims made by the caretaker in court.
Connolly’s initial court filing accused the caretaker of extortion and raised concerns about the mistreatment of the dogs. Despite providing evidence of ownership and care for the dogs, including veterinary records and licensing, Connolly was unable to convince the judge of her ability to provide a suitable environment for her pets. The judge emphasized the need for a clean and safe living space for the dogs, ultimately ruling that the caretaker should retain custody. Connolly’s emotional attachment to her dogs and her financial struggles add to the complexity of the legal battle, highlighting the challenges faced by pet owners in custody disputes.
