Dog who inherited Helmsley millions dies

NEW YORK, June 9 (UPI) -- Leona Helmsley's Maltese, Trouble, has died after several years in Florida as one of the world's richest dogs, the pet's caretaker said.

A spokeswoman for Carl Lekic, general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle hotel in Sarasota, said Trouble had been cremated, the New York Daily News reported. Sources told the newspaper that Trouble, 12, had become blind and suffered from other ailments when she passed away in December.

Trouble became notorious after Helmsley's death. Helmsley, who disinherited two grandchildren, left $12 million for the dog's care.

A judge later reduced the amount to $2 million. Lekic said he could supply the needed care for $100,000 a year, with most of the money going for round-the-clock security because of threats to harm the pooch.

Eileen Sullivan, the Lekic spokeswoman, said Trouble's trust fund now reverts to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Helmsley did not get her way on one thing, having Trouble's ashes interred in her mausoleum in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Westchester County in New York. A cemetery trustee said there is a firm no pets rule.