[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?

[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.)

[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...

[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.

[rellimpank]

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

[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.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Well. Such a law if passed will increase our diversity. We could nominate a beagle for a vacant Supreme Court seat-this would beat the crop of nominees Bush seems to be contemplating.

[meyer]

Anybody that wants to be a vet in Colorado raise their hand...

Well?...

[cgbg]

If dogs and cats have such status what about the chimps and apes.

Oh, I forgot, they already allowed some to be elected to the Colorado legislature. ;-)

[ladyinred]

I cannot even believe I am reading this and it isn't from the Onion!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

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

I wonder if a trial lawyer thought this up? </sarcasm>

[Polybius]

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

Carnac the Magnificent predicts a mass exodus of veterinarians out of Colorado.

[bluzcat]

This is taken very seriously by Me. My wife owns and operates a dog grooming shop here in oak grove Missouri. If My state ever passes a silly law like this, then the real small business affected by this would be dog grooming shops. I could see our insurance tripling, and we would have to get a whole new set of papers for customers to sign, in case if something horrible happened. Nothing ever has, of course, but the thought of someone being able to sue for a hundred grand because of thier "feelings" is a scary thought for any dog groomer, pet trainer, kennel operator, etc... Also, even if the animal died of natural causes (you guys would be shocked at the lengths some pet owners will go to to keep thier dog alive, many look like the walking dead) but the owner decided to blame somebody, which they will, the jury will ALWAYS side in the favor of the pet owner, after an emotional speech by some sleazeball lawyer, reminding them all of thier first dog as a child.
Laws such as these are a very slippery slope....and they are on thier way.
By the way, I have 4 dogs and 2 cats myself, and if somebody was to hurt them intentionally, I have my own personal laws to deal with that. :)

[F16Fighter]

Scrolled down and back up again to make sure this story wasn't from 'The Onion'...

I swear -- supporting then electing candidates from crack houses and asylums can't help but be an upgrade from these socialist twits who've taken to subverting the halls of our government.

[Kevin Curry]

Where are they going to draw the line--pet skunks? Skinks? Snakes? Lizards? Chickens? Ant colonies?

[Hoverbug]

Oh goodie! Does that mean I can use the "Family Leave Act" to stay home and take care of my 'companion'? </sarcasm>

[PatrioticAmerican]

Now what are cops going to shoot?