Is Helmsley's fortune doggie bound?
Animal welfare groups are lining up, maybe even tripping over themselves, in hopes of getting their paws on a major hunk of Leona Helmsley’s $8 billion fortune after a New York Times report that ”The Queen of Mean” left instructions that her estate be spent on the care and welfare of dogs.
The real estate baroness died in August, and although the instructions weren’t part of her official will they are considered “expressions of intent.” As such, according to the Times, the trustees of her estate can take them into account in deciding how to dole out the fortune.
Both People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have expressed interest –- well, much more than interest, this is downright droolworthy –- in putting the money to good use, according to an Associated Press report.
Both organizations, and a multitude of other local animal welfare organizations, will be be suggesting programs and applying for funds if Helmsley's billions really end up funding dog welfare.
Helmsley's will named her own dog, Trouble, as a beneficiary. Her two grandchildren, meanwhile, got nothing. In April, though, a Manhattan judge reduced the trust fund for the 9-year-old Maltese from the specified $12 million Helmsley specified to $2 million. The judge ruled the grandkids could split $6 million.
That means plenty is still left over.
"You could solve the pet overpopulation problem," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society. "You could attack dogfighting. You could attack rabies in China and India, where there are tens of thousands of cases a year. You could take care of dogs left behind in disasters."
Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and president of PETA, said Helmsley's money could help save many of the 3 million dogs that are put to death each year, and reduce that number through spay and neuter programs.
"Many people cannot afford the surgery for their dogs," she said. "In these hard times, with house foreclosures, and people trying to pay for food and fuel, the last thing they're going to think about is the care and sterilization of dogs." She said Helmsley's brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who is one of the five trustees of the estate, has been a PETA donor in the past.
Pacelle noted that laws covering foundations generally require that a charity spend 5 percent of its assets per year. On an $8 billion estate, that would be $400 million — three times the Humane Society's annual budget.
"We do intend to reach out to the trustees and make the affirmative case that there is a tremendous amount of philanthropy to be done to help dogs in our society," he said.
Howard Rubenstein, spokesman for the trustees, said there would be no comment.
(AP photo)
Comments
I don't understand where the judge gets off changing her wishes and giving the grandkids money. Not that a dog needs millions of dollars, but if I have a will and it specifies who gets what, that's what I want to happen. Whether people think it's reasonable or not after I die, it's not their decision.
Posted by: Carey | July 3, 2008 11:54 AM
You are exactly right, the judge did not have the right to change the will however, Leona set herself up for that for if she had left each grandchild 1 dollar each the judge would not have been able to change the will. However, it appears that the expression of her intent is so far reachinng that it may end a nation wide problem as I see it. However, the attorney's for the organization can appeal his decision to the United States Supreme Court for that matter and it sounds like there is enough money that it is worth it for the sake of the animals. I am sure there are many peta or humance society lawyers or lawyers that would do it free of charge. I am proud of Leona, and I wish I could have known her. What a wonderful bequest.
Posted by: Craig Burdine | July 3, 2008 4:11 PM