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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 Pennsylvania, 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 limited to recovering 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. Pennsylvania 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, even if the act was intentional or malicious. However, if the harm to the pet was intentional or done with malice, criminal charges may be applicable under animal cruelty laws. Civil remedies are generally limited to the economic value of the pet.

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Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Pennsylvania State Code

Pennsylvania State Code

Animals

pets—damages for death or injury

Articles