Woman's Will Directs for Her Dog to Join Her

The will of Connie Ley directs, among other possible options, that her German Shepherd be cremated so that their ashes may be together. However, this plan requires that the dog be euthanized. The fate of Ley's canine friend Bella is still unknown as the legal proceedings of the estate are ongoing. Outrage and disapproval have erupted on Twitter and some have offered to adopt or help care for the dog. Ley's attorney has responded to the public outcry by standing by Ley's right to direct what will happen to her property when she died, including her pet.

See Sarah Larimer, Indiana Woman Wants to be Laid to Rest With Her German Shepherd. One Problem: The Dog is Still Alive, The Washington Post, Dec. 17, 2014.

Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.

Please follow this link, Pet Destruction Instructions, to read a short article I prepared on how courts are very reluctant to enforce this type of provision.