Leona Helmsley originally left her beloved Maltese dog Trouble, $12 million of her estimated $5 billion estate. She also specified that a large chunk of her will would go directly to animal shelters and animal organizations that help animals. However, Judge Troy K. Webber ruled a lesser amount for Trouble’s trust fund- $2 million and gave Helmsley’s trustees sole authority of who would benefit from Helmsley’s fortune.

According to the New York Times, a petition has been filed by three animal protection groups: the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and Maddie’s Fund. They believe the judge used “faulty reasoning” and accused the trustees of Mrs. Helmsley’s estate of a “schme to deprive dog welfare charities.”

One would have to agree that something was suspicious when Mrs. Helmsley’s will clearly stated that most of her money was to directly influence the protection of animals, not humans. Mrs. Helmsley’s revised will removed “medical and health care services for indigent people, with emphasis on providing care for children.” (NY Times)

Yet, either in a twisted plot or miscommunication, the trustees only gave $1 million of $136 million to animal organizations- who directly help people. $900,000 went to seeing-eye dog organizations and $100,000 went to the ASPCA who rescue animals.

Wayne Pacelle, the President and Chief Executive of the Humane Society of United States stated,

“Who are these trustees to second-guess either Mrs. Helmsley’s wishes or the legitimacy of kindness and compassion for animals?”

A spokesman for Mrs. Helmsley’s estate also stated,

“Did Leona Helmsley intend for this charitable trust to focus on the care and help of dogs, rather than people? Absolutely not.”

The three petitioners want to clarify that they do not want to undo what has been done, they only want to remove the authority of the trustees and see what they can do with the future of Mrs. Helmsley’s remaining fortune.

Meanwhile, little Trouble is staying out of trouble by relaxing in Florida with his $2 million trust fund.

Images courtesy of Metro, ANSCI, HSUS, Maddie’s Fund

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Congratulations to Erie County, SPCA! They will be receiving their first grant check on October 1, 2009 worth $501,550. The grant, awarded by Maddie’s Fund® The Pet Rescue Foundation, will be given to the Erie County SPCA over the next five years to total $5,000,000.

The Erie County’s main objective is to save “all healthy and treatable cats and dogs; project partners consists of Animal Welfare Groups, Spay/Neuter Clinic.” (Erie County SPCA)

By working closely with different organizations, they will decrease the number of euthanized animals and increase the number of healthy adoptions.

The Erie County SPCA Executive Director, Barbara Carr stated,

“Traditionally, the five-year goal of Maddie’s® Pet Rescue Project is that no healthy dog or cat in a community is euthanized. Thanks to partner agencies and our community members, we predict that Erie County is less than one year away from reaching that goal. Our project partners have pledged that the customary ten-year goal of the project, that of euthanizing no healthy NOR TREATABLE dog or cat, will be reached in five years. There is no doubt that, with our caring community acting as the eighth project partner, this goal will be reached, earning our community this generous grant.”

Erie County SPCA is the ninth organization to receive a community grant from Maddie’s Fund®.

Maddie’s Fund® has awarded more than $84,000,000 to save the lives of beautiful animals.

Congratulations!

Images courtesy of Erie County SPCA and Maddie’s Fund

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