Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson are “off” again according to the June 3, 2013 edition of US Weekly magazine. They are reportedly in a “custody battle” over their two dogs, Bear and Bernie. Pattinson refers to Bear as “his child” and insists that he “raised him”. Do Louisiana courts award custody of pets? In Louisiana, pets are property. Cats and dogs acquired during marriage are community property. Pets acquired before marriage are separate property. If an unmarried couple adopts or buys a dog together, Phideaux is joint property. Courts have the power to award ownership of property to one or the other divorcing party or to order that property sold. In a dispute, pets are no different from the silverware or the lawn mower.