On Wednesday, April 23, the Texas Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee will consider a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for bystander damages, mental anguish, and loss of companionship caused by death of a companion animal.
The bill applies to any person who boards their dog at a “for-profit kennel”, meaning any facility that hosts or boards a dog overnight for compensation.
AKC encourages Texans to contact the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee to express your opposition to House Bill 4777. Scroll down for contact information.
Allowing non-economic damages for pets calls into question the legal status of pets as property. The legal concept that pets are personal property protects pet ownership and the rights of pet owners. A change in the legal status of animals could result in restricting the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs.
Summary and Talking Points:
HB 4777 would establish non-economic damages for “bystander damages, mental anguish, and loss of companionship” resulting from the death of a pet. Although such concepts may sound benign, they represent a potential change in the legal status of animals (animal rights) and would increase the cost of care significantly, ultimately undermining the ability of pet owners to care for their pets.
The AKC understands the pain and trauma that can result when a beloved pet is injured or killed. However, AKC opposes the awarding of non-economic damages related to a pet because such damages are not typically available for personal property. Allowing non-economic damages for pets calls into question the legal status of pets as property. The legal concept that pets are personal property protects pet ownership and the rights of pet owners. A change in the legal status of animals could result in restricting the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs.
Additionally, allowing such damages and the resulting practitioner insurance necessary to cover such damages will significantly increase the cost of pet care across the entire spectrum of animal care providers.
Leading animal organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Animal Health Institute join AKC in opposing laws that permit non-economic (pain and distress) damages for the loss of a pet.
For more information on the issue of non-economic damages, please read AKC’s issue analysis about Non-Economic Damages and view the Legal Status of Animals “Key Issue” page in the Legislative Action Center.
What You Can Do:
- Email members of the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence respectfully requesting their opposition to the bill. Members contact information can be found below:
Chair Jeff Leach Jeff.Leach@house.texas.gov
Vice Chair Ann Johnson Ann.Johnson@house.texas.gov
Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr. Harold.Dutton@house.texas.gov
Rep. Paul Dyson Paul.Dyson@house.texas.gov
Rep. Lulu Flores Lulu.Flores@house.texas.gov
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez Jessica.Gonzalez@house.texas.gov
Rep. Richard Hayes Richard.Hayes@house.texas.gov
Rep. Marc LaHood Marc.Lahood@house.texas.gov
Rep. Brooks Landgraf Brooks.Landgraf@house.texas.gov
Rep. Joe Moody Joe.Moody@house.texas.gov
Rep. Mike Schofield Mike.Schofield@house.texas.gov
- Attend the Hearing: Make your voice heard by attending the hearing on April 23 at 8:00 AM in Room E2.030. Your presence can demonstrate strong opposition from Texas dog owners.
- Texas residents can submit written comments directly into the committee record by visiting the House Public Comment website, select HB 3777, and fill out the form with your information and comments. Comments must be submitted by the end of the hearing on April 23. The House Public Comment portal can be accessed here: comments.house.texas.gov
For more information or for more updates on Texas legislation, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org .