Dog left £6m is forced into hiding

From The Daily Express  -   04/12/2007

A dog that inherited £6million has had to go into hiding after being bombarded with death threats. Trouble the Maltese terrier was enjoying a £145,000-a-year luxury lifestyle of pampering and personalised meal plans. But after two dozen death threats she has been whisked off in a private jet from her home in Connecticut to an undisclosed location with her own 24-hour security team.

Trouble was the biggest single benefactor in the will of hotel magnate Leona Helmsley, dubbed the "Queen of Mean", who died in August aged 87. The dog was given to Mrs Helmsley by her aide John Codey after her billionaire husband, Harry, died in 1997.

She was supposed to be looked after by Mrs Helmsley's brother after her death - but he refused, and Trouble was sent to former employees of the widow instead. In the past few months there have been several kidnap and death threats against her. Mr Codey said the dog is being well cared for. When she dies any remaining inheritance will go to a charitable fund.

© 2007 Associated Newspapers. All rights reserved
Date: 04/12/2007
Publication: The Daily Express