What is a scratch and a scare from a dog worth in a court of law? That's what had to be decided Friday on 'Judge Judy' (weekdays, syndicated) when a man sued his neighbor whose dog got loose and scratched his daughter. The Plaintiff was seeking $5,000, and originally claimed the dog had bitten his daughter, but Judge Judy wasn't having it.

"Different story," said Judge Judy. "He scratched her and frightened her, and my problem with you," she added, "is, where you think this is worth $5,000. It's worth something."

In the end, Judge Judy said it was worth $250, which, not unexpectedly, did not make the plaintiff very happy.