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Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

Most states classify companion pet animals (dogs, cats) as personal property, and only allow owners to recover the fair market value (what a willing buyer would pay for the animal) or the replacement cost (the cost of replacing the pet with an animal of the same age, breed, and condition) for the injury or death of the pet (a rare, prize winning, pedigreed dog may have greater economic value). But some states allow pet owners to recover greater damages when the injury or death of the pet is intentional or malicious.

In Nevada, companion animals like dogs and cats are generally considered personal property under the law. This means that if a pet is injured or killed, the owner is typically entitled to recover damages based on the fair market value or the replacement cost of the pet. The fair market value is determined by what a willing buyer would pay for the animal, while the replacement cost is the expense of obtaining another pet of the same age, breed, and condition. However, Nevada law does recognize the special value of pets to their owners. Under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 41.740, a pet owner may be entitled to recover damages for 'loss of companionship' in addition to the fair market or replacement value when the harm to the pet is intentional or malicious. This allows for the possibility of recovering greater damages in cases where the injury or death of the pet is the result of someone's deliberate or spiteful actions.

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Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Nevada State Code

Nevada State Code

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Animals

pets—damages for death or injury