Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death

Q: Can I sue VET for putting down my dog after I verbally told them not too?

VET taking sides in Divorce

I regularly took our/my 4 animals to the vet for 7 years. After I filed for divorce, estranged husband held animals hostage. In 2015, estranged husband put down our cat "after she was hit by a car." Vet took my name off of all 4 animals records and refused to provide me any information. I told vet not to kill either of my two dogs (marital/personal property that has not been resolved yet.) Months later, the Vet put down my dog and the main reason was because my estranged husband didn't want to pay vet bills to handle the dogs seizures. They refused to provide me any information and threatened to call the police on me because I wanted to see my dog's records. Unfortunately, suing husband is only handled with the divorce :(

I would have gladly taken the dog and paid for any fees to save my daughter's dog. (Vet nor estranged husband afforded me that opportunity.)

Can I sue VET for putting down my dog after I verbally told them not too?

1 Lawyer Answer
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered

A: Vet was following law to the extent that law says that possessor of the animal is owner of the animal. I would note that even if you could sue the vet, in most states the value of an animal killed wrongly is the market value of an animal of that type, age, state of health--which in most cases is very little. So if you had sued you'd maybe get $50.I realize this is perhaps difficult to conceive and I'd suggest you contact an animal rights attorney in your state to be sure.

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