Supreme Court Chews Dog-Ate-It Argument

Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer, in a case involving a Korean War vet missing a disability filing deadline, found rare agreement in the old saw about a homework-eating dog. The New York Times reports that the two justices, often polar opposites, found the common ground in an exchange over what might make an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.

Scalia (pictured) suggested, “The dog ate it, maybe,” The New York Times reports. That prompted Breyer to reply, “Yes. Right. The dog ate the court.”

The case, however, is no laughing matter. David Henderson, a Korean War combat veteran, was found to be 100 percent disabled with paranoid schizophrenia, according to the Times.

In 2001, Henderson sought additional government help, the Times reports. However, as a result of his disability, he missed a filing deadline by 15 days and his claim was denied. Henderson has died, but his widow is pursuing the case.