Pet Court Premieres on TruTV

Jul 24th 2009

Move over Judge Judy, there's a new TV trial show in town -- and this one's dedicated to four-legged victims and perps.

Hillsborough County Judge Nick Nazaretian gives animals their day in court on "Pet Court," a new show debuting this week on truTV (formerly Court TV). Cases, filmed in Tampa, FL, include alleged instances of trespassing cats, attacks by pit bulls and Jack Russell terriers, and chickens terrorized by a slingshot-wielding neighbor.

Judge Nazaretian means business and he doesn't have a lot of patience for people who are cruel to critters. "One of the things we learn as a judge [is] to keep emotions in check, but there are times like anyone else, I'm a human being and I'm going to hear things that upset me," he said in a recent episode.

Unfortunately, the rowdy pets themselves don't get to make an appearance in the courtroom. Too bad. That would definitely give new meaning to the phrase "order in the court."

Episodes of "Pet Court" air at 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on truTV.