China Scene: Central

Divorced couple shares custody of beloved dog

Yuzhou Intermediate People's Court in Henan province mediated a case filed by a divorced couple disputing who had custody of their beloved dog.

The dog, Bei Bei, once saved the lives of both the man, surnamed Zhang, and his former wife, surnamed Wang. One winter night in 2006, the loyal Pekingese awoke them with worried barking when a dangerous gas leak occurred in their apartment.

The couple were married in 2002, but separated this April.

The court ruled that Bei Bei will live with Zhang, but Wang can visit twice a week if she pays a monthly pet support payment.

The case is the first of its kind that the local court has handled.

(Dahe News)

Man distraught after wife takes son

After quarreling with her husband, a woman in Hunan province left home with her 8-year-old son.

Her husband, surnamed Tang, reported the child as missing to local police. Authorities launched a special task force, which discovered the boy was staying with his mother.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post)

(China Daily 06/13/2008 page6)