Jul 29, 2009 9:30 pm US/Eastern
Beloved Pet In The Middle Of N.J. Custody Battle
(CBS 3)
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The fallout from a failed relationship has lead to a nasty custody battle over a dog named Dexter.
CBS
The fallout from a failed relationship has lead to a nasty custody battle over a dog named Dexter in Salem County.
Dexter doesn't know it, but his situation has a lot of pet advocates barking.
Dorren Houseman was devastated when her ex-boyfriend, Eric Dare, told her he wouldn't let her see Dexter anymore.
"It's just heartbreaking, like a hole in my heart," said Dorren.
Dorren and Eric broke up in March of 2006 and the wounds are far from being completely healed.
"I had no idea it was going to be the last time I saw him, when he called me and told me, it was like someone close to me had died," Dorren explained.
Ever since the breakup, she has been fighting to get her prized pug back.
Dorren and Eric bought Dexter nearly six years ago when they were living together.
When they broke up, the two decided to share the dog. Dorren would get Dexter on the weekends and holidays, and Eric had him during the week.
But one year later Eric, who paid for the dog, wouldn't allow Dorren to have any contact with Dexter.
"It's so much more than property. It's my child, it's part of my family," Dorren said.
Dorren lost in 2007 when she and Eric went to trial over Dexter, but won an appeal for a new trial.
Dexter's story is now a landmark decision in pet custody in the state of New Jersey.
Dorren and Eric headed back to court on Wednesday, and Dorren believes the legal bills are worth it.
"You can't put a dollar amount on a pet, especially Dexter."
Eric, who would not comment on camera, says he stopped letting Dorren see the dog because she was interfering with his personal life.
The judge will rule on the case in September.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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