A Long Island mall scion is in a legal dog fight with his ex-girlfriend over who will own their adorable long-haired miniature Dachshund \u2014 with both claiming the pup is their \u201cemotional support animal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander Patronelli of Glen Head and Katelyn Evans of Manhattan bought Finnley from a Texas breeder in April 2024, even arranging for a \u201cflight nanny\u201d to accompany the pup on the trip to New York, court papers show.<\/p>\n
But the pricey canine \u2013the breed can cost up to $7,000\u2013 has since became a casualty of their contentious split, as the former couple trade lawsuits in Nassau Supreme Court over the dog\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n
Evans claimed she was devastated by the loss of Finn. kwhatevs\/ Instagram<\/p>\n
Patronelli, 32, and Evans, 27, dated for six years before breaking up late last year, and each says they\u2019re having a ruff time without \u201cFinn.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cFinnley has been cared for by [Patronelli] (and at work) by his staff, his family, his friends, and is never left alone,\u201d Patronelli, whose family owns the Locust Valley Plaza mall, said in an Aug. 6 lawsuit against Evans. <\/p>\n
Patronelli claims in court papers that Evans is using Finn against him, and falsely told the Nassau Family Court he had \u201craised his voice and scared Finnley.\u201d He also alleged Evans leaves the pup alone for hours in her Manhattan pad.<\/p>\n
But Evans said she stuck with Patronelli through substance abuse problems, rehab and \u201cviolent outbursts,\u201d alleging in Nassau Supreme Court papers he assaulted her in November outside his family\u2019s restaurant.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when she sought a protective order against Patronelli in Nassau Family Court, naming their dog as a \u201cprotected party.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple bought the pup from a breeder in Texas, according to court papers. kwhatevs\/ Instagram<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear if Evans reported the alleged assault to Nassau County Police, who did not respond to a message seeking comment<\/p>\n
Losing Finn left Evans, who works in marketing, \u201cwithout the companionship of an animal that she found, adopted, raised, and cared for deeply,\u201d she said in her own court papers.<\/p>\n
Patronelli\u2019s alleged snatching of their dog, \u201cis a well-researched and documented tactic known to be used by domestic violence abusers to assert coercion and control over their victims,\u201d she said in the legal filing.<\/p>\n
Patronelli claimed his ex often left Finn alone in her NYC apartment. kwhatevs\/ Instagram<\/p>\n
Patronelli sued \u201cto bully and silence Ms. Evans. She will not be bullied or silenced. The truth is on her side,\u201d she said in a counter-suit accusing him of engaging in \u201cbad faith litigation.\u201d<\/p>\n