Dog caught up in a custody case.

[Catherine]

Rocco the dog is the subject of a legal battle that could redefine Ontario law around the custody of animals. 
Rocco's person died. He was not mentioned in the will. The will left everything to the man's sisters. His girlfriend of six years took the dog home after he died. She claims Rocco was a gift to her. She claims she needs Rocco.
The courts have ruled the dog belongs to the sisters. Aliesha is contesting it. She claims the dog should be with her.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/r...-1.7136930

This is a big legal issue. Are pets just another piece of property to be disposed of just like a toaster and a TV?
BC just ruled that pets are not the same as toasters and deserve special consideration in a dispute.
Aliesha claims the dog is an important support for her and she needs the dog.
She could win the case on appeal.

The issue I would like to see resolved is what does the dog want. That should be the real issue. If the dog had a close relationship with Aliesha because she was the girlfriend, then the dog would want to be with her. What kind of relationship did the sisters have with the dog? 
I wish there was some way the dog could be allowed to choose.

[Catherine]

The case is progressing and the girl friend has been ordered to turn over the dog.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/r...-1.7144233

There are probably still appeals and things like that before this is done.
The one thing I am not hearing is what does the dog want. Who does Rocco want to live with.
That should be the real deciding factor. Rocco is not a piece of furniture to be disposed of. What he wants does matter.
A judge with wisdom would let the dog decide.