THE multibillion fortune of New York's 'Queen of Mean' could be going to the dogs.
A newly disclosed document shows that hotel tycoon Leona Helmsley left instructions before her death last year at the age of 87 that almost all of her huge estate should go to the care of dogs.
The bequest could provide a windfall of up to US$8 billion (S$11 billion) for animal-care charities. This followed her instructions to leave US$12 million to her Maltese, Trouble.
But in April, a Manhattan judge reduced the trust fund for the nine-year-old pooch to US$2 million. Her two grandchildren, who had been left out of the original will, received US$6 million each.
Animal-welfare groups would love to get the rest of the estate. The document has a provision that Ms Helmsley's trustees may use their discretion in distributing the funds.
Ms Ingrid Newkirk, president of Peta, said at least three million dogs are put to death each year for lack of schemes to spay and neuter them.
Mr Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society, said: 'We do intend to reach out to the trustees and make the affirmative case that there is a tremendous amount of philanthropy to be done to help dogs in our society.'
