Hot Bench Season 5 Episode 118 Support-Dog Fist Fight!

In Hot Bench season 5 episode 118, titled "Support-Dog Fist Fight!", Judge Patricia DiMango is joined on the bench by Judge Tanya Acker and Judge Michael Corriero. The three experienced judges preside over a heated case involving two former roommates who used to share a love for animals but are now engaged in a bitter dispute over a support dog.

The episode opens with the plaintiff, a young woman named Hannah, accusing her former roommate, Lily, of stealing her emotional support dog. Hannah claims that she suffers from anxiety and depression and that her support dog, a golden retriever named Biscuit, helped her manage her symptoms. According to Hannah, Lily had originally agreed to co-care for Biscuit when they were living together in an apartment, but later became jealous of the attention Biscuit was receiving.

Meanwhile, Lily insists that she had a strong bond with Biscuit and was just as entitled to take care of him as Hannah. Lily claims that Hannah was negligent in her duties as a dog owner and that Biscuit was not receiving the proper care and attention he deserved. The situation escalated when Lily allegedly took Biscuit from their shared apartment and refused to return him to Hannah.

As the judges hear testimony from both sides, tensions build and emotions run high. The dispute becomes not only about the dog, but about personal grievances between the two former roommates. Judge DiMango and her colleagues must sort through the conflicting stories and determine who is telling the truth.

In addition to the main dispute over the support dog, the judges also hear from a couple who claims that they were physically assaulted by another couple who had a dog with them at the time. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant's dog lunged at them, causing injuries and a chaotic scene in a public park. The defendant, however, claims that the plaintiff was actually the agitator and that his dog was acting in self-defense.

With these two cases intertwined, the judges must navigate the complex legal issues surrounding support animals and liability for dog-related injuries. As they weigh the evidence and listen to expert testimony, the judges struggle to determine what is just and fair in these emotionally charged cases.

Ultimately, Hot Bench season 5 episode 118 "Support-Dog Fist Fight!" provides a captivating look at the intersection of law and animals. The episode explores the protective and loving relationships people have with their pets, as well as the legal and ethical issues that arise when disputes arise. With its engaging format, expert judges, and emotionally charged cases, Hot Bench continues to offer thought-provoking and entertaining episodes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.