Vermont court rejects emotional damages for pet loss
Montpelier, Vt. -- Several states are considering laws that would allow pet owners to recover emotional damages for the loss of companion animals, but Vermont is no longer one of them.
Montpelier, Vt.
-- Several states are considering laws that would allow pet owners to recover emotional damages for the loss of companion animals, but Vermont is no longer one of them.
The Vermont Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision to dismiss a lawsuit that asked for emotional pain and lost companionship compensation for two cats whose deaths were attributed to veterinary negligence.
The court indicates the ruling was based on the fact that Vermont does not offer non-economic damages for the loss of valued human relationships and therefore should not extend the privilege to non-human relationships.
