Judge brings name change petitioner to heel

Thursday 12 August 2010 02:01 EDT

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A US judge denied a man's petition to legally change his name to Boomer the Dog.

Gary Guy Mathews, 44, filed for the name change in June because he is a fan of a short-lived 1980-1982 television series called Here's Boomer, which featured a dog that rescued people.

Pittsburgh's Common Pleas Judge Ronald Folino denied the request.

He said it could have resulted in "confusion in the marketplace", including in business records and public documents.

He also said the name could confuse an emergency dispatcher during a crisis.

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Judge brings name change petitioner to heel

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