AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as soon as possible on H. 5926, which is intended to compensate for the loss of companionship, love, and affection provided by a pet that has been seriously injured or killed due to another person’s unlawful and intentional or negligent actions by allowing (1) pet owners to seek noneconomic damages, (2) when the injury or death occurred on the pet owner or caretaker’s property or while the pet was under their control and supervision, and (3) establishing minimum recovery amounts of $500 for serious injury and $750 for death or injury resulting in death with a maximum of $7,500 for noneconomic damages.
The bill will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee at a public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, starting after the House session ends, at approximately 5PM.
Pets and Animals’ Legal Status: There is little doubt that dogs are held in exceedingly high esteem throughout modern American society, and providing for the recovery of non-economic damages in cases involving injury to a pet may sound like a good idea that simply reflects the value people place on their pets. However, allowing non-economic damages in such cases will likely result in many harmful unintentional consequences for pet owners and their pets.
AKC is seriously concerned about H. 5926 because non-economic damages are traditionally only allowed in cases involving the close family of people who have died or who have been severely injured. Changing the legal status of dogs as property would ultimately hamstring the ability of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. Moreover, it is the goal of animal rights activists to give animals the same rights and privileges as people by changing the legal classification of animals from property to “legal beings”. Allowing non-economic damages in cases involving pets would be an incremental step toward that goal.
We are also concerned that the bill’s broad definition of “caretaker” means that anyone who comes in contact with a companion animal—kennels, groomers, dog walkers, dog sitters, etc.—would be liable for non-economic damages.
For more background on this important issue:
Click here to read AKC’s Policy Positions on the importance of the Legal Status of Animals.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
First, immediately email the House Judiciary Committee at HouseJudiciary@rilegislature.gov with your name and town expressing your strong opposition to H. 5926, Noneconomic Damages for Pets.
Second, concerned Rhode Island residents can speak at the hearing, which is expected to start around 5 PM in the House Lounge on Tuesday, March 4. Sign-up sheets will be available in/outside the hearing room.
AKC GR will continue to provide updates on pending dog-related legislation in Rhode Island. For more information on legislative issues in the state, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.