Dog’s $12m legacy slashed to the bone by judge

A JUDGE in New York has agreed to slash $10m (£5.1m) off the $12m inheritance given by real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley to her pet dog, Trouble.

Manhattan Surrogate Judge Renee Roth switched the $10m from the nine-year-old Maltese's trust fund to Mrs Helmsley's charitable foundation.

The court's decision on Trouble’s legacy was reportedly made at the end of April but became public last week. Trouble's trustees said the dog did not need the full $12 million and requested the switch, the New York Post reported.

Mrs Helmsley's will says when Trouble dies she will be buried alongside her and her late husband Harry in their mausoleum.