When the Law Catches Up to Love

What a Landmark NY Ruling Means for Sushi and Dogs Everywhere

On June 17, 2025, history was made in a Brooklyn courtroom when Judge Aaron Maslow issued a ruling that could have implications far beyond the state of New York. In a case involving the tragic loss of a Dachshund named Duke, Maslow acknowledged something dog lovers have known for centuries: pets are family.

In a groundbreaking decision, the court allowed a lawsuit to proceed under the "zone of danger" doctrine, a legal standard typically reserved for human family members. For the first time, a judge ruled that a beloved pet could be considered "immediate family" under this framework.

While the case centered on emotional distress suffered by Nan DeBlase, who witnessed Duke being fatally struck by a car, the legal ripples could extend much further. It signals a growing recognition that our companions are not just "property"—they are irreplaceable members of our households.

What This Means for Cases Like Sushi's

Sushi, a microchipped Bichon Frise and designated emotional support animal, was wrongfully surrendered to a Florida county shelter by a relative who had no legal right to do so. Despite his rightful owner, Liz Bonilla, making dozens of documented attempts to reclaim him, Sushi was transferred to a private rescue and then adopted out to another family—all while Liz was recovering in the ICU.

To date, Liz’s efforts to bring Sushi home have been met with legal technicalities and cold bureaucratic responses. Courts continue to treat dogs as personal property, rather than sentient companions whose emotional bond with their human guardians warrants greater consideration.

But the New York ruling challenges this outdated paradigm. It gives weight to what families like Liz have been saying all along: losing a pet isn’t the same as losing an object. It is a profound emotional loss that deserves protection and legal recourse.

Why Isn’t A Forever Home Animal Rescue Recognizing This?

Despite branding itself as a compassionate organization, A Forever Home Animal Rescue has, so far, declined repeated requests for discussion or reconsideration, despite evidence of ownership to reunite Liz with Sushi. This includes a direct conversation with Liz and documented evidence of ownership.

If courts are beginning to recognize pets as family, why won’t rescues? Especially those who claim to serve the best interest of animals? Surely, the best interest of Sushi is to return to the only home he has ever known.

A Legal System in Transition

The law is catching up to what our hearts have always understood. As rulings like Judge Maslow’s begin to reshape how pets are treated in legal matters, we must hold institutions accountable—be they shelters, rescues, or courts—to prioritize the emotional and familial bonds we share with our animals.

Sushi isn’t property. He’s family. And it's time the law reflects that not just in New York, but in every state where dogs like Sushi are still treated as something less than what they truly are.

Until then, we keep fighting for Sushi, and for all pets who deserve to go home.