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For many New Yorkers, a dog is not simply a pet. A dog is a family member, a best friend, a source of comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. Anyone who has ever shared their life with a dog understands that the bond between a person and their canine companion is deep, personal, and irreplaceable.
Unfortunately, New York law does not currently recognize that reality.
Under existing New York law, dogs are generally considered property. As a result, when a dog is seriously injured or killed because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, the owner’s legal recovery is typically limited to economic damages such as veterinary expenses and certain related costs. In most cases, there is no claim for emotional distress, grief, loss of companionship, or pain and suffering suffered by the owner—even when the incident is traumatic and occurs right in front of them.
Imagine witnessing your beloved dog being attacked, severely injured, or killed. The emotional devastation can be overwhelming. Yet under current law, the value of that loss is often measured in the same way as damage to personal property.
As a lawyer who has dedicated his practice to dog-bite and dog-related injury cases, I respectfully disagree with this approach.
The law should reflect what most people already know: dogs are not furniture, appliances, or replaceable possessions. They are living beings who occupy a unique place within our families. While no amount of money can replace a beloved dog, the law should at least acknowledge the profound emotional harm that can result when a companion animal is wrongfully injured or killed.
Recognizing this issue, legislators in New York have introduced proposals aimed at modernizing the law. One such proposal, commonly known as Penny’s Law, seeks to expand the damages available in certain cases involving the injury or death of companion animals. While the details and future of any legislation remain uncertain, these efforts reflect a growing recognition that the law has not kept pace with society’s understanding of the human-animal bond.
At The New York Dog Bite Lawyer, we believe responsible dog ownership, public safety, and respect for companion animals all go hand in hand. We also believe the conversation about how the law values our dogs is long overdue.
Dogs give us their loyalty, affection, and trust. The law should do a better job recognizing what they truly mean to the families who love them.
If you have been injured due to a dog bite, you should contact Mack Press, the New York Dog Bite Lawyer. He will fight for you, while also ensuring it is the owner, and not the dog, that gets held accountable. Contact the New York Dog Bite Lawyer at 833-8-DOGBITE (833-836-4248), or visit our contact page.
