01x39 - Caregiver Boyfriend/Shih Tzu Custody Battle

[bunniefuu]

- You met her on a dating app?
- Yes, ma'am.

You paid for her rent?

[Du'quan] I just said as long
as you gonna pay it back, we good.

He never said that.

And then you stopped dating?

- Yeah.
- All of a sudden it wasn't a gift.

- [Du'quan] Keep in mind now...
- Shush up, no.

I don't have to keep anything in mind,

you just keep in mind
answering my questions.

[announcer]This is Judy Justice.

[announcer] Du'quan Jones is suing
his former girlfriend Eva Walden

for a loan and the cost of food.

[Kevin] Court come to order, all rise.

Have a seat please.

[Kevin] Hello Judge, case number


Thank you, Kevin.

Mr. Jones, the case is relatively
simple,

you claim that you made a loan
to Ms. Walden?

- [Du'quan] Yes.
- Somebody that you met,

according to you, on a dating app?

- Yes, ma'am.
- And she didn't pay you back?

- No, ma'am.
- This is what the case is about,

I have a few questions for you.

What kind of work do you do?

- Graphic design company.
- Where is it located?

My business is located
in Florida and Georgia.

Does it have a business
address in Florida

or is that your home address?

Uh, yes. The home address.

[Judge Judy] So you have a business
in Florida.

- [Du'quan] Uh-hmm.
- That you work out of your home?

Yes, ma'am.

[Judge Judy] And you have
the same business in Georgia

- where you work out of your home?
- Yes, ma'am.

How many employees do you have
in Florida?

- Uh...
- "Uh" is not an answer.

How many employees do you have
in Florida?

- Two.
- Who? You and who else?

- Me and my mom is...
- [Judge Judy] You and your mother?

[Du'quan] Yeah. She helps me.

So the two employees that you have
in Florida

- are you and your mother?
- Yes, ma'am.

[Judge Judy] And how many employees
do you have in Georgia?

- Just me.
- And what do you do for a living?

[Eva] I work at a call center.
Working from home.

How long have you been working
for this company?

Um, for over a year and I recently
just switched to part time.

[Judge Judy] In December of 2020,

were you working
for the same company?

- Yes.
- Full-time or part-time?

[Eva] Full-time but I'm no longer
working with them anymore.

Well, you said you were working
with them for a year.

- Yeah.
- When did you stop working for them?

I stopped working with them after,
um, we had the PTO dispute.

I didn't get my PTO approved
when I went to Miami for my surgery.

[Judge Judy] Let's not use...
let's not use letters.

- PTO is what?
- For a paid time off.

So you were working for them for a
year, this is what this is about,

you met on a dating app,
you mentioned to her

according to your complaint that you
were going to Miami on a vacation?

Well, yeah, they...it came about
but, I, you know,

I didn't just come out and mention
it.

As of we was dating, you know,
she was like, uh...she was going to...

she had a secret for me
that she had something

that she was going through

and then it all led to us get...
being in Miami. Yes, ma'am.

I'm just reading from your
complaint, sir.

Your complaint says, "I met Eve
after a couple of weeks of dating,

I mentioned to Eva that I had
planned a trip

to Miami for my birthday."

- Absolutely.
- Eva was getting a tummy tuck

surgery in Miami that same week
so I volunteered

to help take care of her.

- Yes.
- [Judge Judy] Is that accurate?

- Absolutely.
- [Judge Judy] Great.

And you did go to Miami

and you did have this
tummy tuck surgery?

- Yeah.
- [Judge Judy] I gather

from what you just told me
that you had put into a job,

a job that you had had
for about a year, paid time off?

- Yes.
- And you asked for paid time off

because you were having this
elective surgery?

Yes. Two months before.

[Judge Judy] You put in for this
time off in October or November,

for this time off, because you were
going for this elective surgery?

- Yes.
- During COVID.

- Yes.
- Yeah. Okay.

And you were going there
to celebrate your birthday?

- Absolutely.
- [Judge Judy] Absolutely.

So far we're terrific.

So your boss turned down
paying you for paid time off

when you were going for your surgery?

Yes.

[Judge Judy] Yes, that's what you said.

- Yes.
- So the two of you discussed that

you weren't gonna have money
for some bills

that you had your rent et cetera,
that is according to your complaint

and according to what I read here
from you,

the defendant said that
when she was turned down

for the paid time off,

she was going to apply for disability
and unemployment?

- Yeah, that was...
- [Judge Judy] That's what you wrote?

[Du'quan] Yeah, yeah, yeah,
that's...

- [Judge Judy] Is that what she
told you?

- Yes.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

And the nature of her disability
was what?

I don't, you know I don't...

[Judge Judy] Okay. No, you don't
know.

What was the nature of the
disability?

Because I was recovering.

So when I spoke with my boss
two months prior,

- she had told me her...
- You can't tell me

what your boss told you.

Okay. Well...

[Judge Judy] You can't tell me
what your boss told you.

Well, verbally she had approved the
PTO

so I...so I never looked for it
again...

Just a sec...that's also telling me
what she told you.

You're not following me.

- Okay.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

So when I got back from the surgery,

when I got my direct deposit,
my PTO wasn't in there.

- So it was an issue...
- Your pay...your pay wasn't in there

cause you went for voluntary surgery
for a tummy tuck in Miami.

Yeah, but I had...I had PTO that I
had saved up like hours to use.

So you had saved up those hours?

- Yeah.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

So they were hours you worked
that you hadn't used?

- Yes. And...
- [Judge Judy] So far so good.

So far I'm with you.

Did you sue your boss
for not paying you for those hours?

I didn't sue them,
I took it up to corporate

and they told me that
they couldn't do anything about it.

That's when I decided
to leave the company.

So at that time, I was stressed out
because I couldn't pay my rent.

[Judge Judy] So you...just a second.
So you quit?

- [Eva] Yes.
- And you couldn't pay your rent,

that's what this lawsuit is about?

Because you paid her rent $928?

- Yes.
- Nine hundred and twenty.

- [Judge Judy] Nine-twenty?
- Yeah.

[Judge Judy] Now, I don't know
what the law is,

it used to be if you quit your job,

you didn't get unemployment
but that's not true anymore, right?

- Yeah.
- [Judge Judy] Huh?

- Yes. But I didn't...
- [Judge Judy] Okay. So...

I didn't get approved
for the unemployment.

- You didn't?
- [Eva] No.

So you didn't get any money?

- No, I...that's when he...
- [Judge Judy] Just a second.

And you still haven't received any
money from unemployment?

- No.
- You don't get any now?

- [Eva] No.
- And you're working part time now?

[Eva] Yes. And I also, um,
am a musician so I do that as well.

[Judge Judy] Okay.
And you gave her the $920?

- Well, I mean...
- [Judge Judy] To pay her rent?

- Absolutely. Not right off bat.
- [Judge Judy] Just, just...

I don't care right off the bat,
this is not an audition.

You gave her the $920?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] Great.

And the $920, according to her,

you gave her from a small business
administration loan

that you had gotten from the
government as a result of COVID?

Yes. What...

[Judge Judy] Yes? That would be a yes.

That what she says.

Absolutely but there's more details,
you know, that, that...

[Judge Judy] Well, there's no
more details, I just asked you

about your employees, and
you said your employees are you...

And my mom.

- And your mom?
- [Du'quan] Yeah.

But she doesn't work with you
in Georgia, that...

- [Du'quan] No. No, I don't...yeah.
- You work there by yourself?

- [Du'quan] Yeah.
- Oh okay.

I'm just trying to figure it all out.

[Du'quan] She sees I'm a
entrepreneur...

She's just trying to help me
flourish.

Yeah. She tries to help you
flourish.

[Du'quan] She helps me out.

- Yeah, she files for me...
- She tries to help you flourish

and so does the government
try to help you flourish.

So did you get,
I just want to absorb it all.

So you applied for a small business loan

that was designed for people
who had real businesses,

- with real employees.
- I mean...

[Judge Judy] Just a second,
with real employees

who rely on that money

so that you could pay your employees
during COVID,

that's what that was about,
am I not correct?

[Du'quan] That's exact...
Exactly what I did.

- Yeah. That you paid yourself.
- And my mom, yeah.

[Judge Judy] You paid...just a sec,
you paid yourself?

- Yeah.
- You did apply for the loan.

- Absolutely.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

And when did it come through?

- It was probably like July.
- [Judge Judy] July of 2020?

[Du'quan] Keep in mind, Your Honor...

[Judge Judy] Just a... no.

I don't have to keep anything in mind.

You just keep in mind
answering my questions.

[suspenseful music playing]

[announcer] Du'quan Jones
says former girlfriend Eva Walden

refuses to pay back a loan

and the cost of food
from her football party.

[Judge Judy] Okay.
You had to pay yourself.

Well, there's a difference
between unemployment

and getting a small business loan
so what I wanna know is...

- Well, it wasn't a loan.
- [Judge Judy] Shush up.

- It wasn't a loan.
- Wasn't a loan?

[Du'quan] It wasn't a loan. It was
a...they called it, uh, a grant.

[Judge Judy] Okay.
Now when you do a grant,

you have to apply for the grant,
right?

They don't just come to your door,
knock at your door and say,

"Hey, you want a grant?" You have to
apply for it, I know...I know.

- No I... I know you know.
- [Judge Judy] That's the process.

[Du'quan] I know you know.
That would be nice if they did.

So you did apply for the loan?

- Absolutely.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

And when did you apply for the loan?

Right when COVID.

COVID shut me down,
I'm a...I'm a graphic designer,

entertainment business,
so I'm just trying to gauge, uh...

So you applied for it, when?

- March?
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

And when did it come through?

It took a while,
a lot of oodles and noodles...

[Judge Judy] Wait, just a second.
Give me a month.

Uh, when it hit, I do remember this
because I was happy,

it was probably like July of last
year.

July of 2020?

[Du'quan] Keep in mind, Your Honor...

[Judge Judy] Shush up. No, I don't
have to keep anything in mind,

you just keep in mind
answering my questions.

In July, it came through?

Yes, ma'am.
[Judge Judy] Between March and July...

- [Du'quan] Yes, ma'am.
- ...how did you support yourself?

Actually I got some cool family
members that who contribute...

Just a second. So you relied on the
kindness of friends?

[Du'quan] Absolutely...
no, family, not friends. Family.

[Judge Judy] Isn't that...what...it's
family? From the kindness of family?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] Blanche DuBois,

rely on the kindness of friends.

[Du'quan] Hey, that's...

And how much
did our wonderful government send you

in July of 2020?

Uh, amount, that's a number.

- [Du'quan] Uh...
- [Judge Judy] "Uh" is not an answer.

[Du'quan] It was under 5,000.

- What?
- Under 5,000.

How much did they send you?

I don't wanna be...
I don't wanna lie to you,

I don't know the exact number
off bat.

So that would be unfair if I said that.

It's just under 5,000 to be honest.

Did they send you
a second payment after July...

No, I didn't want a second payment
cause I didn't need it.

[Judge Judy] Just a second.

So you got the payment in July of 2020

and in December of 2020

is when you paid for her rent
or was that in January of 2020

That was January.
No, no, beginning of February.

- February 1st.
- February 1st and he offered...

[Judge Judy] 02/01?
And then you stopped dating?

- Yeah.
- And at some point Ms. Walden...

- Yes.
- ...you say th...the relationship

was over, he started to press you
for this $920?

Yes. After.

[Judge Judy] After. After, it just...

[Eva] And during, I had just told him
the situation that I was in,

- I didn't get my PTO, he...
- [Judge Judy] I know this,

- we're passed that already.
- [Eva] ...he offered...

[Judge Judy] I'm already...
I'm already through

the entire alphabet
of government spending.

I'm already through the whole thing.

Your answer says
that he came after you

because he now has a new girlfriend
or you have a new boyfriend?

- Yeah, we just...different ways.
- I'm still single, Your Honor.

[Judge Judy] And then he s...
and he said to you

he was worried that the government
would come after him for the return...

- [Du'quan] What? [chuckles] No.
- [Judge Judy] That's...don't speak.

For the return...
that's what you say in your answer.

- Yeah.
- For the return of this money

because it wasn't used for the
purpose

that this was supposed to be used for

which was to pay your employees
like your strangers,

like the people that run the cameras,
right?

And Kevin, right?

Whitney and Sarah.

Who are employees.

And you were paying yourself
and your mom?

So you say he was worried
that he wasn't...

that's what you say in your answer,
correct?

Yes, that's what he told me
on the phone.

[Judge Judy] That's what he told you?
Tell me exactly what he told you.

So he asked me
when could he get the money back,

he said that he had took out a loan
and that he needed to pay it back.

So he needed the money
that he gave me

at the beginning of February for my
rent, he needed it back

but it wasn't until after
we went our separate ways

that all of a sudden it wasn't a gift.

[Judge Judy] No just a second,
he said he had to pay it back

or he was afraid
he'd have to pay it back?

Yes. That he was afraid
that he had to pay it back.

He was basically, you know,
just trying to get me

to give him the money back
that he offered.

[Judge Judy] Okay. Just a second.
Well, let me ask you a question.

- Are you back to work?
- Um, I do part time nanny work

while I work on my music.

- Who supports you?
- Uh, me and my manager.

You and your manager support you?

- [Du'quan] You date your manager?
- Judge Judy] Just a second.

- Oh, my bad. I'm sorry.
- Shh. Yeah.

That is right.
You have to tell me Mr. Jones.

Now I got...I've got everybody.

I've got...I've got everybody's story
in my head.

Tell me, how she asked you

or how it came about
that she told you

that she would give you back the
money, the $920 for rent.

Tell me how that came about?

[Du'quan] Okay.
First I need to uh address.

[Judge Judy] No,
first address my question.

[Du'quan] Which is...this is in your
question.

- [Judge Judy] No, no.
- I wasn't afraid because I did...

[Judge Judy] No, no.
First address my question.

- [Du'quan] Okay.
- I would be afraid if I were you.

[Du'quan] Can you repeat that
question for me, please?

- Yeah. So, I probably.
- I want you to tell me

how it came about
that you made this loan to her

for her rent of $920.

- [Du'quan] Okay. After, uh...
- [Judge Judy] In Miami.

[Du'quan] Yeah,
after all that with the surgery

and she...I didn't know what PTO was.

Okay. I work for myself.

- I got a...
- Just a second.

[Du'quan] No more alphabets. I get it.

But, you know,
so that's what she told me

when I researched it,
and I found out what it was

and I felt like that was unfair.

I think anybody in here would think
that was unfair

if that's what they was told.

I was like, "Look,
I'd be more than willing to help you

but I need this back."

It's just been COVID,
as you know I gotta pay my mom.

- [Eva] He never said that.
- She don't get a lot of money

- but she gets enough...
- [Judge Judy] Just a second.

I don't know that at all, sir.

I don't know that at all.

Your mom's there right behind you
pushing you all the time.

That's not an employee.

Okay. Let's keep...let's keep moving on.

[Du'quan] So, she expressed to me
the concern,

but I felt bad for her.

Good. That's what I thought.

[Du'quan] And I...and I...I just said,

long as you gonna pay it back.

We good.

And I didn't even ask for it right back,

I said, "Once you start working,
you pay it back..."

[Judge Judy] So this was in February.

February.

[Judge Judy] This was in February.

Now, in February,
were you and the defendant

sort of having an intimate relationship?

- Before February.
- [Judge Judy] Before February?

- Yeah.
- Yes. From December to February.

- [Du'quan] Yeah.
- What happened after February?

She would only know.

You get some money
you become a track star.

- I don't know.
- [Judge Judy] I don't know.

Well, she stopped...she, she stopped...
she stopped communicating with you.

[Du'quan] It got a little different

but I...I, I figured like me being
the... the kind of person I am, I...

[Judge Judy] No, no.
It got a little different.

[Du'quan] It got a little different,
her body's different right now.

A whole lot of stuff gonna be
different. So, I was like, "Okay."

It was cool until, I was, you know,
she had a Super Bowl party.

Yo you can come get your
bread, which is the money.

I came...
I brought some other things

cause she wanted chicken wings
and, you know,

I was like, "Okay. Cool.

You're gonna hit me back."
When I got there it was no money.

So I decided,
"Hey, I gotta do what I gotta do

'cause I need that money back."

Your Honor, he came to the party and
called ahead of time and said,

"Would you like me to stop at the
store to get anything?

[Eva] He knows, everybody...
everybody contributed to the party.

[Judge Judy] Ms. Walden. Ms. Walden.

I'm not even addressing the fact
that he picked up fancy cupcakes

and chicken wings.

I didn't go to school
for 10 years for that.

I'm just addressing this $920.

You wouldn't touch this dog, why?

I don't deal with the dogs at all.

- Well, who does?
- My children.

How would it be
if instead of getting this puppy,

I paid you for this puppy?

[suspenseful music playing]

[announcer] Du'Quan Jones,
says former girlfriend Eva Walden

refuses to pay back a loan

and the cost of food
from her football party.

[Judge Judy] Okay.
Do you have anything to show me

with regard to his statement that he
said, "Listen, I'm cool with that.

I can give you the money now
but you have to pay it back?"

He just started harassing me

saying I probably didn't use
the money for the rent.

So this is my lease.
I just wanted to show proof.

- [Judge Judy] Oh.
- Just so you know.

[Judge Judy] Who do you live with, now?

My mom. My mom's my landlord.

Okay. Great.

And what kind of a house does she
have or do you rent a room from her?

Yeah, we're in an apartment.

Did you rent a room in your mother's
apartment in February?

- Yes.
- [Judge Judy] So the rent that

he allegedly paid for you
was to your mother?

- Yeah.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

Does you your mother live
in that apartment too?

Yes.

[Judge Judy] Your case is
dismissed.

You are... both of you.
Get out of here.

[Kevin] Court adjourned.

I don't win nothin'?

I loaned some money I wanted it back.

He's just being petty
because we don't talk anymore.

And now he wants his money back
which he offered as a gift.

She looked at me
with some batted eyes,

looked into my heart,
and clearly said,

- "Would you please help me?"
- It is what it is.

- No more bugs for tux.
- Definitely a lesson learned.

Case number 1032.

Bradley versus Kimble.

Please come forward.

[announcer] Tia Bradley
is suing dog breeder Rico Kimble

for half the value of a puppy litter.

[Judge Judy] Ms. Bradley,
you have a male Shih Tzu?

I do.

[Judge Judy] And that's your
little boy.

- [Tia] Yes.
- What's his name and how old is he?

[Tia] King, he's two-years-old.

And Mr. Kimble,
you have a female Shih Tzu?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] How old is she?

[Rico] She's two-years-old also.

So y'all thought it would be a good
idea to mate your two dogs.

- Yeah.
- [Judge Judy] Your female with King.

King and Sparkles
should have a family together.

And according to you, Ms. Bradley,

you made arrangements
with the defendant

that you would split
any litter that you had.

- That was a verbal agreement?
- Yes.

[Judge Judy] Mr. Kimble,
Sparkles had five puppies...

- Correct.
- ...as a result of this mating?

- Correct.
- [Judge Judy] Ms. Bradley,

your lawsuit is for the value
of half of that litter

because you intend to sell them,
am I correct?

- That is correct.
- You don't plan on keeping the dogs

- you plan on selling them.
- Well

[Judge Judy] So you're looking for
the fa...

I was keeping one.
I was keeping one puppy.

- You were keeping one for yourself?
- [Tia] Yes.

[Judge Judy] And have no intention
of selling that puppy?

- No, no.
- Okay.

And this is the one that you
originally picked as pick of litter?

- [Tia] Right.
- [Judge Judy] Can I take possession

of that puppy for a minute?

I need it.

I haven't seen mine
in... in a couple of weeks.

[Kevin] Oh.

Got it. Yeah.

Oh.

[Judge Judy] Oh, you're holding the
puppy

like it's something
that you don't do naturally.

That is a very, very sweet puppy.

- Absolutely.
- [Judge Judy] Okay.

So this is your pick of litter
and you intend to keep her?

Right.

You intend to take good care of her?

Yes.

[Judge Judy] Okay. Let me tell you this.

Mr. Kimble says
that your arrangement was

that you got pick of the litter,

which is the routine normal exchange
for stud fee.

I mean, your dog is not a champion dog.

I assumed your dog's
not a champion dog, am I correct?

- You...you're correct.
- So, yours is a pet?

- Right.
- [Judge Judy] And you're amateur

at this breeding process.

So there's no lineage
that you're trying to protect.

So the usual arrangement is pick of
litter, not half the litter.

That's why the person who goes
through the time, and the trouble,

and the feeding, and the cleaning
up, and the care for,

they keep...if there are only two
puppies, they keep one

and you keep one.

In this case, there were more than
two or three and they all survived?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] That means that you

were, you know, good parents.

Okay.

I'm almost afraid
to give you back this puppy.

To give to him.

This is the puppy
that you brought to...bring to her.

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] This was her puppy.

This was her pick of litter.

- Yes, Your Honor.
- [Judge Judy] Okay. Good.

Can you deal with this, Kevin?

[Kevin] Yes, ma'am. Yes.

She is very cute.

Thank you.

Yes, you are and very photogenic
and very good. And very quiet.

Right hand. Left hand.

[Judge Judy] Right to her.

[Tia] Give it to him.

- King's daughter.
- [Judge Judy] No.

Why don't you take her?

- Why?
- I don't deal with dogs.

- You don't deal with dogs?
- [Tia] The dogs is for my kids.

- You okay?
- Just your wait, wait, wait,

- bring him back. Bring him back.
- [Tia] She just peed.

- [Kevin] Oh, okay.
- [Rico] She's probably scared.

Oh, that's why you're holding him so
far away.

[Kevin] You got it, Judge?

[Whitney] She's never done that before.

She probably scared or something.

- [Kevin] No.
- She is scared. Okay.

You wouldn't touch this dog, why?

I don't deal with the dogs, at all.

- Well, who does?
- [Tia] My children.

[Judge Judy] How old are you
children?

Well, he's 21.
I have a 14 and a 16-year-old.

But you have nothing to do with the dog?

[Tia] No.

So you plan on giving the dog to him?

That is their dog.

[Judge Judy] What do you mean
it's their dog?

That's their dog. King is their dog.

[Judge Judy] Okay. Fine.

How would it be
if instead of getting this puppy,

I paid you for this puppy?

And they could buy
whatever dog they liked.

They like the Shih Tzu.
That's why I had...

[Judge Judy] No,
then they could buy a Shih Tzu

and they wouldn't have to
take this one home.

How would that be?
Would you do that?

I wouldn't have a problem with
that.

So you wouldn't have a problem?

If since your mom's not gonna have
anything to do with this dog

who doesn't even wanna touch it.

You wouldn't have a problem
if you got the money for the dog

and then you decided
what you wanted to buy?

- Yeah, I...we can do that.
- [Judge Judy] He says that's fine.

How much did you sell
the other puppies for?

Three hundred.

[Judge Judy] How much
were you intending to sell the puppy?

[Tia] A thousand dollars.

[Judge Judy] Well, how about
we give you a thousand dollars

and you can let your kids decide.

Would you be prepared
instead of taking the dog?

He has... looks like he's got his
hands full with one dog.

- Do you understand?
- [Tia] I... I get it.

But we, we can handle two dogs.

It's not a problem.
That's not a problem.

Because that will be the only dog
we have.

We didn't get the other dog.

So you want a dog from your puppies
that he wants, right?

- Yes.
- [Judge Judy] Okay. All right.

Then give that dog to your mother.

I can sit him down
watch him on the leash?

[Judge Judy] That's fine.
And you can step up here.

- [Tia] King, sit.
- And take this one.

- Perfect.
- Yeah. I got her.

- [Judge Judy] Got her?
- Yes.

[Judge Judy] Okay.

[dog barking]

[Rico] She's scared. She's scared.

[Tia] King, King, King.

Okay. Calm down.
Calm down. Calm down.

[dog barks]

[Judge Judy] Uh-oh, uh-oh, no, no, no.

Oh, they're gonna get along famously.

That's your dad, you're doing that
to.

- [Rico] [indistinct].
- Over it

[Judge Judy] No, he's good with her.

- You're good with her.
- [Deandre] Thanks.

[Judge Judy] Not crazy about his father.

[laughter]

[Tia] Calm down. It's okay.

[Judge Judy] Okay. Satisfied?

- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judge Judy] Got your puppy?

- [Tia] Yes.
- Good. Very good.

We're done. Thank you.

[Kevin] Court adjourned.

I'm okay with her decision
of giving us the one dog.

I thought it was a great decision.

That was the plan all along
is to give her a puppy.

He's not a man of his word

and he needed the money
more than me.

Once the puppies came,
her story changed

and so I was sticking
with the original story.

[Tia] My dog gone be happy
that he has his daughter.

I'm happy with it.

SARAH: It seemed like the whole thing
could have been avoided.

Had they just had something in writing

when they decided
to breed their dogs together?

[Judge Judy] That's the takeaway
if you're dealing with somebody

whether family or not,
and you have something of value

that you're exchanging,
put the terms in a written contract.

It allows everybody to know
where they're at.

And I think that puppy
who probably was very frightened

had a little stage fright
will get to love him

because he looked
as if he really was a sweet soft guy.

Anyway, all worked out pretty okay.

[announcer] Want justice?