In Santa Monica, the city council is considering replacing the term owner with guardian with respect to pets. Proponents think the change would lead to kinder treatment of animals. The position of the AKC:

The American Kennel Club supports the use of the term “owner” rather than “guardian” when referring to the keeping of dogs. The AKC believes that the term guardian may in fact reduce the legal status and value of dogs as property and thereby restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. It may also subject them to frivolous and expensive litigation.

I agree with the AKC’s position that pets are property. It seems certain segments of our society feel bad admitting they own a pet and prefer other terms. Yet, when someone is bitten, the litigation is viewed as essentially a property issue, akin to someone falling down your steps.

Posted in uncategorized on September 16th, 2003 by SayUncle | RSS 2.0 |