Now pets really are part of the family thanks to US 'paw laws'

[emad]

By Philip Sherwell in Washington
(Filed: 26/06/2005)

Missy the mongrel cost Jim and Kris Noyes just $100 (£55) when they adopted her from an animal shelter in the Chicago suburbs.

Three years on, the Noyes are seeking damages of more than $50,000 (£27,400) after a series of allegedly botched operations that led to the dog suffering intense pain and having to have a leg amputated.

The couple have been encouraged by a wave of so-called paw law decisions in which American judges have loosened the strict legal definition of animals being simply property or "chattels".

Mr Noyes speaks about his eight-year-old dog as though she is a daughter. That, say pet owners - or guardians, as they are now legally known in several United States cities - is the point.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/26/wpet26.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/06/26/ixworld.html

[indy_azcat]

1. i'm not sure if i agree w/ pet malpractice suits

but after spending most of my income fighting puppy cancer, a tax break like other parents get would be nice...

[hlthe2b]

2. My dogs have always been my "children..." but there is a cost...

to laws that promote limitless malpractice suits (rather than property-based)... And, that is-- by necessity-- much higher veterinary bills.

[HawkerHurricane]

3. Remember...

Your Dog is now part of your family, your gay lover is NOT.