- TV's 'golden couple' are said to be discussing who will get their beloved dog
- READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford 'holding heartbreaking talks over who will get custody of beloved pet dog Maggie
TV's 'golden couple', Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, are reportedly undergoing difficult conversations about who will get custody of their dog after their divorce.
After 14 years of marriage, the pair declared they would officially part ways after work commitments 'took their marriage in different directions', but what does this mean for their beloved pooch Maggie?
Ruth and Eamonn are said to be avoiding bringing in lawyers, unlike Ant McPartlin and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, who fought for custody of their chocolate Labrador, Hurley, during their bitter divorce.
According to legal experts, firms across the UK have seen a rise in the number of people seeking legal advice over what happens to their pet's following a break-up and research from Direct Line Insurance showed that 27 per cent of splits in 2021 involved custody of a pet.
Meanwhile, the Blue Cross animal charity reported that 10 per cent of people said they had lost a pet during a breakup with a partner.
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford have publicly declared their divorce after work commitments 'took their marriage in different directions', but who will get their beloved pooch Maggie?
Celebrities too are not immune. In addition to Eamonn and Ruth's struggles, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, as well as Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, have also fought over their pets.
So, what is the UK law and who can claim ownership of the dog? Here, FEMAIL brings you everything you need to know if you split up with pets involved....
How pet ownership is decided?
Although pets are often much-loved members of a family, under UK law, pets are considered a person's property, like a piece of furniture or a car.
Therefore, legal ownership is decided on the basis of proof of ownership - basically, the person who bought the dog owns the dog.
If a couple buys a dog jointly, they both own it and would more than likely need to share the dog following a split. However a court does not have the power to order a legal owner to give access to the non-legal owner.
If a dog is bought as a gift, there must be evidence of this.
Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong also fought over who got custody of their adorable Labrador Hurley (pictured)
When Johnny Depp split from Amber Heard, the pair also went through the same of issue of deciding who got custody of their beloved Yorkshire Terriers
What else counts as proof of ownership?
Although proof of ownership is the key factor in determining pet custody, there are other issues that can be taken into account. These include who looks after the dog, whose name is registered on the dog's microchip and insurance, and who is registered with the vet.
Things can become tricky if - for instance - the richer party buys the dog, but the poorer party stays at home and looks after the dog and takes it to the vets. In this case, the dog still legally belongs to the one who bought it.
What if the non-legal owner takes the dog?
If a couple splits and the person who is not the legal owner takes the dog and refuses to give it back, the rightful owner can then take them to civil court.
There, the judge will likely order the person who took the dog to hand it back. This process can cost several thousand pounds however.
Who gets custody when there are two pets?
If you have two pets, you can split them, but you should also think of the relationship they have together. If they are attached to each other, it may be best to keep them together.
Ruth (pictured with her dog Maggie) has split from Eamonn after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together
ITV presenter Ant Mcpartlin and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong took it to the lawyers to assess Hurley's (pictured) custody
Can a pre-existing agreement help with negotiations?
Pet-nups - essentially pre-nuptial arrangements involving pets - are on the rise. In the past three years, there has been a 20 per cent rise in demand for them. In 2022, the Blue Cross animal charity also introduced its own pet-nup agreement form. The charity is currently taking in four pets a week following relationship breakdowns.
Will the UK law change?
In UK law, the animal's welfare is not taken into account – but in France, Portugal and Spain, courts consider pets as sentient beings rather than objects owned by one or other partner. Judges therefore will consider a pet's welfare when couples separate, which often strengthens the case for shared custody.
In the UK next year, there will be a Family Law commission review, which some campaigners are saying should also consider the issue of pets.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SHARING CUSTODY OF A PET
Put the pet first
Although in UK law, a pet is considered a possession, people should treat their pets as sentient beings and put their welfare first. The pet should be with a carer who has time and money to look after them. Dogs can move back and forth between homes if their routines and food are respected. But cats are far more difficult and get used to one environment.
Keep the rules consistent...
If you plan on sharing a pet, typically a dog, then make sure training and rules remain consistent. If your pet is allowed on the sofa in one house and not in the other's they will soon become confused about what they are allowed to do.
Rover.com's canine behaviourist, Adem Fehmi, said: 'When set up right, joint ownership of a dog can work well, even between exes. However, this does require both owners to be on the same page in terms of pet care and the dog's individual routine, as it can be helpful if a similar routine is followed across the board.
'If the dog's needs are being met in each home – emotionally, physically, and mentally – this can help a dog to adapt to their changing environment. It's also important that owners be careful not to unintentionally promote behaviour issues such as separation anxiety and, if these do arise, seek professional help to work through such issues together - as a team.
During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants – except the dog'
The chocolate Labrador called Hurley was adopted by the couple in 2013 when they struggled to conceive a child
How will my pet cope with a change in circumstance?
It's important to remember that a pet can easily sense changes and may become unsettled. This means they can pick up on tension or arguments at home.
If possible, try and keep arguments away from pets. Also, be sure to look out for any behaviour changes. These may include a dog cowering or not wanting to eat. Both of these may be signs that your pet is anxious.
If your dog has to move home....
According to the Blue Cross, moving can be very stressful for both people and animals. If your pet does need to move into a new home, it may be best to keep them away removal vans, boxes and packing. Instead, it may be best to move your animal to a stress-free environment until they can properly move in.
If you have to say goodbye to a dog
It can be very hard for people to be separated from pets they have grown to love. If you are suffering, you can contact the Blue Cross pet bereavement service.
