Man who's spent more than $60,000 fighting for custody of canine ‘son’ appeals for more funds

A Manhattan man says his cross-country legal battle for custody of his little dog Knuckles is making him broke, but he’s not going to roll over. Craig Dershowitz says he’s already spent upwards of $60,000 in his court fight for the pooch he considers his “son,” and now he’s turning to the World Wide Web in hopes of raising another $20,000 to keep his quest alive. “I’ve pretty much gone through my life savings,” the 34-year-old gallery employee said, but he quickly added, “It’s worth it.”



In papers filed earlier this year in Manhattan Supreme Court, Dershowitz said ex-girlfriend Sarah Brega “took unilateral control of Knuckles and kidnapped him” after they broke up — spiriting the dog away to California. Brega says that Dershowitz “unconditionally gifted” her the dog, and that the puggle — half pug, half beagle — is enjoying life with her out on the Left Coast. “Knuckles lives a happy and healthy life in California with me, where he has ample room to play, and lives in close proximity to a beach for off-leash dog-park outings,” Brega said in court papers.

Dershowitz said Knuckles “hates water” anyway — and is a tried-and-true New Yorker. “He loved New York. He’s a very happy dog. He’ll be happy wherever he is — especially if he’s with his dad and the friends he grew up with,” he said. Dershowitz said he left his “baby boy” with Brega while he was looking for a new place after their breakup, but she was supposed to return him when he did. He initially got a default judgment against the wardrobe stylist for the dog’s immediate return, but she has retained a lawyer and is fighting him in New York and California courts. Dershowitz said he believes part of her strategy has been to run up his legal tab — and it’s working.



“Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to keep it going. Not too many attorneys are working pro bono,” he said. He’s started a webpage to raise money for the fight, with his artist friends contributing “perks” for certain contribution marks, including a “Free Knux” T-shirt for $25, a YouTube video and song for $50, a professional portrait of Knux for $200. For $250, contributors can “play fetch with Knuckles. Only available (hopefully) in NY,” the site says. He has currently raised $626.