Trio of top animal organization suing to ensure Helmsley fortune goes to dogs


Posted on Aug 12, 2009
By Julia Szabo

Three of the country's most influential animal welfare organizations are charging that the trustees of the estate of Leona Helmsley are misdirecting funds despite Helmsley's clear direction that her fortune go to help dogs.

Acting together as a watchdog coalition, the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, and Maddie's Fund filed suit in New York's Surrogate Court to intervene in the matter of Helmsley's $5 billion estate.

The news of the Helmsley legal trust challenge, which the coalition is calling "the most significant legal litigation in animal welfare history," was announced yesterday at a press conference held at the ASPCA's New York City's headquarters.  Present were Marsha Perelman, Chair of the ASPCA's Board of Directors, HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle; and Maddie's Fund President Rich Avanzino.

In April, when the first $136 million from Helmsley's estate was distributed, only $1 million- less than one percent of the allocation announced- was donated to the care of dogs, which the late hotelier had designated as her primary beneficiary.  "This is a trifling and embarrassingly small amount," Pacelle told The New York Times.  "Ms. Helmsley's wishes are clearly being subverted."

Helmsley made it clear to her heirs that her priority in the distribution of her estate was providing for the care of dogs.  Trouble, Helmsley's beloved Maltese, was originally the largest named beneficiary in the will.  After death threats were made against Trouble, his trust fund was reduced to $2 million; the dog's security alone costs the estate $100,000 a year.

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