Helmsley Dog Inheritance Reduced To $2 Million

LATEST: The $12 million (GBP6million) trust fund late hotelier and socialite LEONA HELMSLEY's left to her pet dog has been slashed to $2 million (GBP1million) after a judge agreed the sum was excessive.

A New York judge has reduced the amount and ruled the late billionaire's two disinherited grandchildren should be awarded $6 million (GBP3million) after claiming Helmsley was not mentally competent at the signing of her will.

The trustees of Helmsley's estate argued the pooch, a nine-year-old Maltese named Trouble, would have no need for the $12 million (GBP6million) sum she was left.

The judge gave the remaining $10 million (GBP5million) into Helmsley's billion-dollar charitable foundation.

The pooch's annual expenses were estimated at $190,000 (GBP95,000), including a $60,000 (GBP30,000) guardian fee, $100,000 (GBP50,000) for 24-hour security, $8,000 (GBP4,000) for grooming, $3,000 (GBP1,500) for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 (GBP6,000) for food and up to $18,000 (GBP9,000) for medical care.

Helmsley died last August (07), aged 87.