Colo. May OK First Pet Companionship Law

guardian ^ | 2/9/03

[knak]

DENVER (AP) - Several Colorado lawmakers are supporting legislation to elevate the status of cats and dogs from property to companions.

The measure would allow people in Colorado to sue veterinarians and animal abusers and seek damages for ``loss of companionship,'' up to $100,000.

Colorado has more than 2 million dogs and cats in 1.6 million households. Current law classifies them as property, and pet owners can seek only ``fair market value'' in a lawsuit.

If passed, it would be the first such companionship law in the nation, said lawyer Josh Pazour.

A related ordinance, making pet owners guardians so pets will not be seen as property, was recently passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. ``We're really trying to get to the heart of trying to treat animals more humanely and promote guardianship,'' said Matt Gonzalez, the board's president and chief sponsor of the ordinance.

Eshelman said Boulder was the first city to make pet owners guardians, followed by others including Berkeley and West Hollywood in California and the state of Rhode Island.

The Colorado measure is opposed by the state Veterinary Medical Association, which contends the proposed changes would increase the cost of veterinary care.

``Veterinarians will have to pass on to consumers the increased costs of doing businesses, including time spent responding to frivolous lawsuits and additional diagnostic tests that will now be required to practice defensive medicine,'' the association said in a statement to its members.

Colorado already is among 14 states legally recognizing dogs and cats as beneficiaries and allowing people to leave money and property to their pets.

``If you can leave something to your animal, they're obviously a status beyond property,'' said state Rep. Mark Cloer, the chief House sponsor of the companionship measure.

Republican Gov. Bill Owens, who owns a springer spaniel named Hannah, would not say if he would sign such a bill into law if it passes. But he added: ``Hannah is very much in favor'' of the bill.

[jimkress]

Trial lawyers will stoop to ANY level to insure their revenue stream.

This 'law' is silliness incarnate.

[ChiMark]

What about the rights of gay dogs and cats?

[BOBTHENAILER]

The Colorado measure is opposed by the state Veterinary Medical Association, which contends the proposed changes would increase the cost of veterinary care.

However, Presidential candidate John Edwards responds saying: " Dog gonnit, this is a great bill for the average guy and for the average family. Let's not pussy-foot around, we need this bill to pass.

Think of the "children", deprived of a life long companion by a cruel and inept Vet. This bill will help them get over the pain and suffering of losing a loved one. I think this bill is just the cat's meow.

[anobjectivist]

So when are we going to approve the 250 billion dollar pet welfare budget? Are there going to be public obedience schools constructed soon? If so, they should definitely be compulsory.

[coloradan]

On the other hand, it means that people whose dogs were shot by police can sue for more than the $20 the dog cost from the pound. As many here are aware, (1) some dogs are worth a lot more to their owners than their replacement cost and (2) police officers regularly shoot dogs, almost as a matter of first recourse, during law enforcement actions. (Especially when they have the wrong address or the wrong suspects, Re: the Smoaks of TN.)

[JoeSixPack1]

Silliness?

SO 15 yeras ago when the vet had my cat drugged up, spread eagle and cut open, he decided to go tend to a Horse with a bad tooth. Cat dropped dead after 4 hours of laying there bleeding.

Fairmarket value was about $20.

Silliness? A knuckle sandwich would have cost me jail time. The vet shrugged his shoulders and told me to sue him.

[theFIRMbss]

>DENVER (AP) - Several Colorado lawmakers are supporting legislation to elevate the status of cats and dogs from property to companions. The measure would allow people in Colorado to sue veterinarians and animal abusers and seek damages for ``loss of companionship,'' up to $100,000.

Many people spend
more time with their computer
than a cat or dog.

Let's make computers
"companions" -- then we can sue
Microsoft and Gates

when our loved boxes
crash. Gates has more money than
some poor, random vet...

[Capt. Tom]

So when are we going to approve the 250 billion dollar pet welfare budget?

That comes after states who adopt this "loss of companionship law" require a motorist to carry additional insurance in case you run over a cat or dog with your vehicle.

Of course the pain and suffering for both owner and animal will have to be factored in to any settlement. -Tom

[knak]

Wonder how long it'll be before the vets start striking because of vet malpractice insurance costs?

[Amerigomag]

They've come a long way baby.

When I was young trail lawyers used to chase ambulances and run for public office.

Today they cruise hospice row and lurk in pet cemetaries.

[sweetliberty]

"The measure would allow people in Colorado to sue veterinarians and animal abusers and seek damages for ``loss of companionship,'' up to $100,000."

Just what we need; a whole new level of frivolous lawsuits; not to mention higher veterinary costs.

[auboy]

Wonder when the IRS will let pet owners count their pets as dependents? I dearly love my 12 year old Lab. If she counted as a dependent, she'd have a bunch of brothers and sisters.

[RWG]

This is a good law. Seeing eye dogs and security dogs are more than just property according to the people who have them. I've taken my dog to several nursing homes because it adds benefit to the treatment of the patients.

[wku man]

Well, did you? If not, why? There's a big difference between deliberate cruelty, as in the case of your cat, and a law elevating animals to near-human status. Any person, vet or not, who would do to an animal what you say your vet did to your pet should be accorded an equally horrendous punishment. But to tell me I can't declaw my cat because she's my "companion" is ludcrious. Let them pay to reupholster my couch every time she rips it to shreds.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[rellimpank]

--as total control of the asylum by the inmates moves closer--

[Hank Kerchief]

Many people spend more time with their computer than a cat or dog.

TVs. How many people could not get through a day without their TV. TVs baby-sit the children and are all the companionship many older people have.

Just think of all the people you can sue if your TV doesn't give you the kind of companionship you expect.

Hank

[JoeSixPack1]

Well, did you?

yes

[ErnBatavia]

"Anthropomorphism"

I love that word, but it's a helluva a tongue twister....

[Hildy]

The notion that you can put a price on "companionship" whether it be human or animal is insane to me. If something happened to my dogs, the thought of getting money out of it I hope would be the LAST thing on my mind. Lawyer WILL destroy this country.