The Supreme Court of Texas ruled today that there is no monetary award for sentimental value in the loss of a pet. Sentimental value is for regular property and not pets or people. They will not recognize emotional or sentimental value for loss of pets when they do not recognize it for people except for loss of a spouse or child. While they recognize that people love their pets and would suffer emotionally if they were killed, they leave it to the legislature to pass bills to change this. If the Court had ruled for sentimental value for loss of a pet, it would have opened up a can of worms.
Justice Don R. Willett wrote the opinion. He did a great job, very well balanced and compelling. While I'm all for a monetary award or punishment if someone accidentally or intentionally kills your pet, after reading the opinion I agree with the Judge. He's also a very good writer.
The most important thing we can learn from this is don't let your pet out. Secure your yard or don't leave your dog out there. If you lose your pet and find him at the shelter, instantly bail him out. Don't wait days like these people did. I personally feel the Medlens were in the wrong for letting the dog escape and leaving him at the animal shelter. They only needed $70 I think to bail him out. If their kid were locked in the shelter, they would have found the money instantly. Makes you wonder how much they really cared for that dog to leave him in a horrible shelter knowing he could be killed at any moment even with an owner alert.
The most important thing we can learn from this is don't let your pet out. Secure your yard or don't leave your dog out there. If you lose your pet and find him at the shelter, instantly bail him out. Don't wait days like these people did. I personally feel the Medlens were in the wrong for letting the dog escape and leaving him at the animal shelter. They only needed $70 I think to bail him out. If their kid were locked in the shelter, they would have found the money instantly. Makes you wonder how much they really cared for that dog to leave him in a horrible shelter knowing he could be killed at any moment even with an owner alert.
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Justice Don R.Willett of the Supreme Court of Texas
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| John Cayce attorney for Carla Strickland of Kelly Hart law firm |
Case NO. 12-0047
CARLA STRICKLAND, PETITIONER,
v.
KATHRYN AND JEREMY MEDLEN, RESPONDENTS
Full opinion
Case documents
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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