Judge unleashes ruling on name change
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An Allegheny County judge has denied a Green Tree man's petition to legally change his name to Boomer The Dog, saying it would cause confusion and have unintended consquences, such as "putting the public welfare at risk."
Gary Guy Mathews -- a 44-year-old fan of the "furry" lifestyle that celebrates giving human characteristics to animals -- made the unique plea to change his name in a hearing Tuesday before Common Pleas Judge Ronald W. Folino. The judge issued a page-and-half denial late today.
He said the name change could result in "confusion in the marketplace," including in business records and public documents, as well as more serious consequences.
"Consider the following example," should the court grant the request, Judge Folino wrote. "Sometime thereafter, Petitioner witnesses a serious automobile accident and telephones for an emergency medical response. The dispatcher on the phone queries as to the caller's identity, and the caller responds, 'This is Boomer the Dog.' It is not a stretch to imagine the telephone dispatcher concluding that the call is a prank and refusing to send an emergency medical response."
Mr. Mathews could not be immediately reached, but he is expected to petition for the name change again.
First Published August 11, 2010 5:14 pm
