Gov’t busybodies have killed family rights

Since the court treated the dog like a child in applying a “best interest” analysis, it explained the difference between child and dog custody under the law. In both cases, the judge can override the rights of the adults and even reject agreements that the couple may have signed.

The difference, according to the Vermont Supreme Court, is that the legislature has given the family court judge authority to play a continuing role in supervising a child’s parents, but no authority to micro-manage dog care or, as the court says, “the care and sharing of a companion animal.” In other words, the court treats a parent like a child, and a dog owner like an adult.