Invaluable Furry Friends: Measuring Damages for Companion and Service Animal Injury/Loss

Companion animals provide immeasurable value to their owners, although in the event of loss or injury, the damages that may be recovered are often quite limited. The finite nature of recovery for injury or loss of companion animals is due to their common legal recognition as personal property. The courts however are evolving to mirror the popular perception that pets are more than simply property. This work explores current case law and trends pertaining to animal rights in the courts, and the way in which they are valued when it comes time, unfortunately, to measure damages.