Golden retriever seeks tax break

BROOKLYN — A New York woman is suing the IRS on behalf of herself and her eight-year-old, "American born" golden retriever, arguing that the dog should be recognized as a non-human dependent for tax purposes. She claims the dog meets all functional criteria for dependent status aside from not being human and argues that the current tax scheme creates a "disparate burden on pet-owning taxpayers who provide equivalent or greater levels of care, yet receive no financial recognition, despite dogs serving essential roles in human health, safety and companionship."