FAMILY COURT DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FIND A FOSTER HOME FOR A FAMILY’S PET CAT (FOURTH DEPT).
The Fourth Department, reversing Family Court, determined the Department of Social Services made reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for the temporary removal of the children while the neglect petition is pending. The court noted that Family Court did not have the power to find a foster home for the family’s cat:
… [T]he court lacked the authority to order it to find a foster home for respondents’ cat, and we therefore further modify the order accordingly. “Family Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that cannot exercise powers beyond those granted to it by statute” … , or by the New York Constitution (see NY Const, art VI, § 13). Inasmuch as animals are property … , and Family Court does not have jurisdiction over matters concerning personal property, we conclude that the court exceeded its authority in directing petitioner to find foster care for respondents’ cat. Matter of Ruth H. (Marie H.), 2018 NY Slip Op 01840, Fourth Dept 3-16-18
FAMILY LAW (PETS, FOSTER CARE, FAMILY COURT DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FIND A FOSTER HOME FOR A FAMILY’S PET CAT (FOURTH DEPT))/FOSTER CARE (FAMILY LAW, PETS, FAMILY COURT DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FIND A FOSTER HOME FOR A FAMILY’S PET CAT (FOURTH DEPT))/PETS (FAMILY LAW, FOSTER CARE, FAMILY COURT DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FIND A FOSTER HOME FOR A FAMILY’S PET CAT (FOURTH DEPT))