August 07, 2012
New Jersey court refuses non-economic damages
Suing for emotional distress is reserved for the deaths of humans, not animals, the New Jersey Supreme Court recently ruled. On July 31, 2012, the court ruled that a close relationship with a pet could not be considered at the same level of a close familial relationship. "Although we recognize that many people form close bonds with their pets, we conclude that those bonds do not rise to the level of a close familial relationship or intimate, marital-like bond," Justice Helen Hoens wrote for the court in a 5-0 decision. According to nj.com, Joyce McDougall, sued after her 9-year-old maltese-poodle mix named Angel was mauled by a larger dog owned by Charlot Lamm in 2007. McDougall, a divorced mother of three living alone with Angel, sued for emotional distress and the cost to replace the dog, estimated at $1,395.