victim can show that the dog had a history of biting. Contact a local lawyer if you have questions about bites and your rights.
DOG INJURY LAWSUITS: WHAT’S YOUR POOCH OR KITTY WORTH? If your pet is injured or killed by a neighbor, you could sue for damages. If the death was intentional, the perpetrator of the crime could also face jail time. But how much can you be compensated for your loss? Generally, not a lot of money. In Connecticut, owners can sue for the negligent killing of a pet, but there’s a catch. State law requires courts to treat Fido or Fifi as “personal property.” That means you are unlikely to get significant damages, but rather an amount equal to your pet’s “replacement value,” the same legal standard many insurance companies use for car accident claims or damaged items in your home after a fire.
trusts, you can set money aside to provide for your pet’s care during its lifetime long after you’ve died. An attorney can do that for you, making sure the appropriate legal language is added to your will to protect your pooch. Even if you don’t have a will, but want to provide for your pet, now is a good time to have one made specifically for your needs. continued-->
BREED-BASED BANS A number of cities and towns across the U.S. have laws banning particular dog breeds. San Francisco, Miami, Sioux City, Iowa, and other localities passed laws restricting the ownership or breeding of pit bulls. People who owned and licensed them before these laws were enacted may be exempt “grandfathered out” from complying with the law for their current dog(s). You should check whether breedspecific restrictions exist where you live. It is also wise to see if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy excludes liability coverage for particular dog breeds and other animals. Many do.
PET TRUSTS Approximately 40 states have laws that allow you to create a legal trust for your pet. A trust manages the distribution of a person's property by transferring its benefits and obligations to different people, or if your state permits, to different pets! Leona Helmsley set aside $12 million in pet trust for her dog, Trouble. Tobacco heiress, Doris Duke did the same thing. If you live in a state that recognizes pet M ARCH 2009 • MetroPetMag.com
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