Minneslate Logo

HF2733 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Civil cause of action created, and punitive and emotional civil damages for injury to pets allowed.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a legal framework in Minnesota that allows pet owners to seek financial compensation if their pet is injured by another person. It introduces the ability to claim not just for the cost of injuries, but also for emotional distress and punitive damages.

Main Provisions

  • Liability for Injury to Pets: Anyone who causes injury to someone else's pet may be held liable for various damages. This includes:

    • Medical Costs: Covering the veterinary bills necessary to treat the pet's injuries.
    • Actual Damages: Reimbursement for tangible losses resulting from the pet's injury.
    • Emotional Damages: Compensation for the distress suffered by the pet's owner due to the injury.
    • Punitive Damages: Additional financial penalties aimed to punish the offender, as outlined in existing Minnesota laws (sections 549.191 and 549.20).

  • Exclusions: The bill specifies that certain individuals are exempt from this liability, such as:

    • Licensed veterinarians who act within the scope of their practice and whose actions are legally sanctioned.
    • Individuals who perform pet euthanasia at the owner's request.
    • Those acting in accordance with state law or local ordinances regarding the humane killing of pets.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill establishes a new legal cause of action specifically for injuries to pets, expanding the scope of damages pet owners can pursue. This is a shift from typical personal property damage claims, acknowledging pets as entities that can cause emotional and psychological impact on their owners.

Relevant Terms

  • Pet injuries
  • Emotional damages
  • Punitive damages
  • Veterinary exemption
  • Legal liability for pets
  • Nonhuman mammals, birds, and reptiles

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section provides the legal framework for claiming punitive damages in civil actions.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "549.191",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "It describes the criteria and procedure for awarding punitive damages in civil lawsuits.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "549.20",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Specifies the conditions under which a veterinary license might be suspended, revoked, or limited.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "156.081",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors