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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 Oklahoma, 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 only entitled to recover the fair market value or the replacement cost of the pet. The fair market value is determined by what a willing buyer would pay, while the replacement cost is the expense of obtaining another pet of the same age, breed, and condition. Oklahoma does not have specific statutes that allow pet owners to recover for emotional distress or punitive damages in cases of injury or death of a pet caused by another person's intentional or malicious acts. However, if the act that caused the injury or death of the pet is particularly egregious, the court might consider awarding punitive damages, but this is not common and would depend on the specifics of the case.

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Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

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Oklahoma State Code

Oklahoma State Code

Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

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