What to Know
- Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a bill that would provide pet owners more legal options when their pets are injured or killed
- Republican 12th District congressional candidate Daryl Kipnis introduced "Scuffles Law" on Friday
- The proposal would give pet owners the chance to sue for statutory damages up to $10,000 and punitive damages based on emotional distress
Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a bill that would provide pet owners more legal options when their pets are injured or killed.
The Courier News reports attorney and Republican 12th District congressional candidate Daryl Kipnis introduced "Scuffles Law" on Friday. The bill is named after an English bulldog that died last year after a grooming at a PetSmart in Flemington.
According to Kipnis, state law only allows pet owners to recover economic damages against a party that harmed their pet.
Kipnis says his proposal would give pet owners the opportunity to sue for statutory damages up to $10,000 and punitive damages based on emotional distress.
The bill's announcement follows recent reports of pet deaths at PetSmart stores in New Jersey. A corgi died in March at a Toms River PetSmart. Additionally, a woman’s bulldog died during an appointment at a Flemington PetSmart on Dec. 29 while another lost her pet on Dec. 24 at the same store.
