I just read this article on a legal proceeding in Los Angeles regarding a fight over "ownership" of a dog.  In this case, the parties are not related, but you would be surprised at how often, and with how much vigor, parties in a family law proceeding will fight over who gets to keep the family pets.

While the issue is complex, since pets are not considered by the courts to be anything other than property, the main issue is the emotional attachment that the parties feel towards their pets.  I know for me, my pets aren't property, they are my furry children.  They care when I don't feel well, are happy to see me, and want my attention. 

Because there is no "title" to who owns a pet (usually), the courts have long had difficulty with this issue and there is no easy resolution to the problem.  Needless to say, from a financial standpoint, it is often cheaper to not engage in a protracted legal battle over the family pets.  That said, as with the people in the above article, how much would you spend to keep your loved one with you?