Setting Precedent: How One Pet Owner and His Pup Helped Change Massachusetts Law

We were honored to be featured in a recent segment by WBZ / CBS News Boston, highlighting a landmark case for pet lovers across the Commonwealth. Logan Hall of CBS sat down with our client, Brett Lyman, and his adorable pup, Teddy Bear, to share how their story changes how pets are treated in courtrooms across Massachusetts.

When Brett came to us, he wasn’t just fighting for a dog—he was fighting for a beloved companion and family member. Teddy Bear had become the center of a legal dispute after a breakup, and Brett believed their bond deserved more recognition than the law traditionally allowed.

Teddy Bear

Thanks to Brett’s courage in sharing his story—and a dedicated legal effort—this case has helped set a new precedent in Massachusetts: pets are no longer just treated as ordinary property. Instead, courts are beginning to acknowledge what many of us have always known—our pets are unique property, and the people who love and care for them deserve to have their relationships with them recognized in a meaningful way.

This shift means that pet owners may now have more legal rights when it comes to shared custody, visitation, or decision-making around their pets after a breakup or divorce. It's a big step toward a more compassionate and realistic understanding of the human-animal bond in family law.

We’re grateful to Brett for standing up not just for himself and Teddy Bear, but for the countless pet owners who will face similar situations. And we thank CBS News Boston for helping to shine a light on this important issue.

Watch the full segment above or here: CBS News Boston: Boston's Dog Lawyer Specializes in Pet Custody Cases

At Boston Dog Lawyers, we believe that pets are family—and we’re here to fight for them like family.