Beyond Pets: Recognizing Animals as Beings With Rights

"In the process of writing my book on pet-related conversations in clinical settings, I've been researching and reflecting on some court decisions involving animals, particularly pets. There are several rulings that, in different ways, can shape how people perceive and give meaning to the emotional connections they share with their companions. Such perceptions frequently emerge in the experiences described by clients in clinical contexts, and they often reveal how much the role of animals has evolved."

"In Brazil, a dog was recently recognized by the court as having the right to be compensated not only for mistreatment but also for moral damages. His name is Tokinho, and he was brutally attacked by his former owner in 2023. In this case, not his guardian, but Tokinho, had the right to be compensated for moral damages. This decision in favour of Tokinho represents a historic milestone and sets an important precedent."

"This is not an isolated case. In New York, a court acknowledged the dog Duke as a family member, instead of mere property. Duke was a four-year-old dachshund who was killed in a car accident while walking with his guardian. This recognition is relevant because it allowed his family to pursue compensation for moral damages. In India, a court went even further, declaring that all animals are subjects of law, with humans serving as their legal guardians."

Recent court rulings in multiple countries increasingly treat companion animals as holders of interests deserving legal protection. In Brazil a dog named Tokinho was legally recognized as entitled to compensation for mistreatment and moral damages following a brutal attack. In New York a dachshund named Duke was acknowledged as a family member rather than mere property, enabling a claim for moral damages after death. In India a court declared that all animals are subjects of law with humans as legal guardians. These rulings reflect expanding recognition of animal sentience and shifting legal frameworks toward protecting animals' interests and emotional bonds with humans.

Read at Psychology Today