Dogs are now legally considered "Immediate Family" in New York
"Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Aaron Maslow wrote in his ruling: “This Court fails to see why a beloved companion pet could not be considered immediate family.” The decision came after a woman witnessed her son’s dachshund get struck and killed by a car while she was holding his leash in a Brooklyn crosswalk.
For decades, New York law treated pets as personal property with damages limited to market value. This ruling changes that, at least in cases where the owner is physically present and directly bonded to the animal. Animal rights groups are calling it a turning point."
(Source: Sociaty (on FB))