Former business partners in court after row over pet dog when their marriage broke down

Former business partners, Thomas McCabe and Barry Savage, found themselves in court over a dispute involving a pet dog following the breakdown of their marriage. The pair had jointly operated a successful horse supplies firm in Larkhall for a decade and had even planned to expand their business. However, tensions arose in their personal relationship, leading to a legal battle.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Mr. Savage, 43, accused McCabe of multiple assaults during a confrontation at their workplace. The dispute allegedly escalated when Savage tried to retrieve their dog, Macey, from McCabe’s vehicle, resulting in Savage sustaining a head injury. Despite facing three assault charges, McCabe was acquitted after Sheriff Colin Dunipace delivered not proven verdicts.

The couple’s business, 1st Choice Horse and Pet Supplies, had received accolades including being named retailer of the year in the 2021 British Equestrian Trade Association awards. The court heard that the incidents of assault occurred over a nine-day period earlier in the year, with the final confrontation leading to the involvement of the police.

Following the legal proceedings, Mr. Savage has taken sole ownership of the business after reaching a severance agreement with McCabe. Despite the turmoil in their personal and professional lives, the court ruled in McCabe’s favour due to a lack of conclusive evidence supporting the assault allegations.

In a surprising turn of events, what initially seemed like a harmonious business partnership took a tumultuous and unexpected turn, resulting in a legal battle that ultimately saw one party emerge as the sole proprietor of their once-shared enterprise. The dispute over a beloved pet dog serves as a stark reminder of the complexities that can arise when personal relationships intertwine with business affairs.