Question
My daughter had her Rottweiler dog many years before her marriage and was a gentle dog and in good health. The vet even had all her records under my daughter's maiden name. Her husband took her dog to the vet and had her euthanized to hurt my daughter because they are having problems. The vet pulled up Nina's records under my daughter's name and never got her consent or never contacted her. Is there anything she can do about this to either party?
Answer
I am very sorry to hear about your daughter’s dog. An animal’s “parent” can commence a civil lawsuit for monetary damages against a person who without consent of the animal’s “parent” euthanized or caused to be euthanized the animal. In addition to compensatory damages, which include such things as monetary value of the animal, some courts (not many) have awarded money for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and the value of the animal to the animal’s “parent" (which can far exceed the animal’s market value). Courts may also award punitive damages for egregious misconduct. The police can also be contacted but the police do not usually intervene in these matters. Additionally, complaints about veterinarians may be made to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board.
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