In view of the pet food poisoning, can we put a dollar amount on our pets?

Question

There is a wonderful article on yahoo, you can link to it here:

http://biz.yahoo.com/weekend/doglife_1.html

And it raises the point that the law puts more emotional value on a family heirloom than it puts on our pets. According to the article, if your pet was killed, you would only get market value for the price of the animal. Which by the way is seen only as property. An owned item.

Both my cats were rescued, and I paid nothing for them. The value I have put into food and pet care notwithstanding, in the laws eyes, if they were poisoned in the pet food scandal, I would receive nothing from those who murdered my pets! I think all pet owners should start flooding their lawmakers with petitions to change this sad and cruel view of pet value. 

What do YOU think?

More important... what will you DO?

TritanBear · Accepted Answer

I agree with you, I cherish, adore, and love my Lab and to me he is my son. I am a huge animal right activist and few months ago there was huge petition drive over this topic due to another matter. A beloved family pet member was "murdered" by a neighbor. The owners wanted to sue and as you stated they could only get property value. Animals are viewed as property and NO emotional value can be awarded. Which is a bunch of B.S. I have been doing petitions for the last year because I know there is no monetary amount that could be made for the love I have for my dog. Just need more people to take action .

Doug · Answer

I wouldn't know how to put a dollar value on the loss of my pet. About all I can do is evaluate the cost of purchase; upkeep, feeding, vet visits,etc.  Most of us just haven't thought much along that line when thinking of our pets value. 

However, this recall involves the death of thousands of cats and dogs and many of them were 'doctored' at great expense in hopes of healing,etc.  

There is a new class action law suit to help those who have lost pets due to MenuFoods products. Check out my source for more details. And recall lists updated daily.

*KySeN &amp;&amp; gAvInS mOmMy* · Answer

I could NEVER put a price on my beloved pets. They are my children and I grew up around animals all my life. They were my escape on a hard life growing up, so if someone told me to put a price on them I don't think I could. If my pets were ill from the recall I would go crazy literally. I probably wouldn't know what to do other than sue for all they have maybe.

jan in uae · Answer

Yes, we love our pets but at the same time lets not go crazy and ask for greed in our lawsuits.  How about 1K plus the cost of the pet.

rbcleo@sbcglobal.net · Answer

The law needs to understand that pets are not property they are family-so my question to them is what is the life of your child worth? That is how I feel about all three of my dogs - I 
even call them my kids.
                                                  Robin Brown

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In view of the pet food poisoning, can we put a dollar amount on our pets?

5 Answers