'Take my man but not my dogs'

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The ex-wife of a prominent political figure told the man's new partner: "You have my husband, you cannot have my dogs."

She made the comment shortly before she unhooked one of the dogs from its lead, handed it to her minder in a nearby car and left the scene.

The saga is being played out in the Auckland Family Court and is subject to strict suppression orders. Both parties are represented by Queen's Counsel.

The ex-wife, referred to as D, told the court: "My dogs are my babies."

She said she had not seen her "babies" for two years, after the split from her husband, referred to as C.

D said she happened to be in C's upmarket Auckland neighbourhood last November because she liked driving down that particular street.

She said she saw the dogs being walked by C's new partner.

They appeared to be "disengaged" and were "pooping all over the place".

"I said those are my dogs. I need my dogs."

D said she told C's new partner: "You have my husband, you cannot have my dogs."

She handed the dog to her employee, who was waiting in his car nearby and the pair drove away.

D was asked by Judge David Burns if she would take the dog if she "could have her time again". D said she would not.

She was asked by C's lawyer, Deborah Hollings QC, if she believed snatching the dog was wrong.

"As I understood, I thought I was within my legal rights. I understand now I was not within my legal rights."

She said she felt as though she was being "crushed" by C and "cut off from my family".

D's minder said:"I'm aware the couple never had children, so the couple's dogs were kind of like kids."

The case is being heard in the Family Court because the dog is treated as a chattel under the Property Relationships Act.