COLORADO STATE - PETITION FOR NEW LAWS RESPECTING COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFUL INJURY TO PETS

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TO: Colorado Elected Official:

I am writing to you to express my concern about the rights of individuals to fair compensation for the negligent or intentional infliction of death or injury to a pet. To many people, a pet is a member of the family. Pets provide valuable life-long companionship, are active living, breathing, sentient beings. Pets give and receive love and attention and are often more loyal and companionable than the human members of the family. Some people purchase pet health insurance for the non-human members of their family because of their great concern for the wellbeing of their pets.

The common law in the State of Colorado currently considers pets to be "property". Consequently, a wrongdoer's liability for the wrongful death of another's pet is usually limited to nothing more than the pet's "retail" value. "Retail" value is usually no more than $400 and can often be as little as $40 for a mixed-breed pet. This measure of damages is woefully inadequate for the loss of a dearly beloved companion and best friend.

Legislative action is needed to permit fair compensation, including punitive damages where appropriate, for the wrongful killing or injury of a domestic pet. I consider pets to be valuable members of the family, and I am confident this issue is important to many of your constituents. Please acknowledge this message and let me know your position on this matter.

My personal message to you is:

I would appreciate an acknowledgment of this message, and would like to hear your opinion on this very serious matter.  This is very important to me, and to many other constituents of yours. 

Sincerely,

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