Bill Would Allow Lawsuits For Pain And Suffering If Animal Dies From Eating Contaminated Food

(CBS/AP) New Jersey on Monday will consider giving pet owners the right to sue for emotional pain and suffering if an animal gets sick or dies from eating contaminated pet food.

Joyce Tischler, founding director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said New Jersey would become one of the few states in the nation to allow such lawsuits. She said Tennessee allows pet owners to sue for up to $5,000 in damages. New Jersey's proposal includes no damage limit.

"This would be a significant step forward in state legislation," Tischler said.

New Jersey Assemblyman Neil Cohen said his bill would change the legal standard that generally regards pets as property.

"For many pet owners, losing a dog or cat to tainted food is tantamount to losing a loved one to a preventable tragedy," Cohen said.

Veterinarians have opposed similar proposals in other states, arguing that such laws would increase consumer costs and encourage frivolous lawsuits.

Cohen's bill is set to be considered Monday by an Assembly committee. He said he wrote it following March's nationwide pet food recall.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/21/health/main2831851.shtml