New York now officially considers pet dogs as part of the family.

There are many people who consider their pet dogs to be an integral part of their family. And now, thanks to a recent ruling by a judge in New York, the courts are starting to see them in the same light.

According to an article in The New York Post, the ruling came about after Nan DeBlase filed a lawsuit against a driver who ran over her son's beloved pet dog in 2023. DeBlase claimed that she suffered emotional distress after witnessing the tragic death of the family's pet. In most cases, pets are seen as mere possessions, but Supreme Court Judge Aaron Maslow saw things differently in this case. He ruled that DeBlase was entitled to damages for the trauma she experienced when the driver, Mitchell Hill, hit their pet dachshund, Duke.

The incident occurred on July 4, 2023, when DeBlase was out walking Duke with her son, Trevor. As they were crossing the street, Hill failed to stop at a stop sign and ended up hitting the dog. DeBlase was forced to quickly get out of the way to avoid being hit herself.

In his decision, Judge Maslow stated, "It is reasonable to believe that witnessing Duke being crushed would lead to emotional distress that goes beyond the typical feelings of losing a possession." He also added that a beloved pet can be considered "immediate family" in certain circumstances, such as the one presented by DeBlase and her family.

After the tragic incident, Trevor took to social media to share the heartbreaking news with his followers. The family then decided to take Hill to court in hopes of recovering damages for their loss. However, they were met with a legal roadblock due to an outdated law that only allowed them to sue for the market value of Duke, plus medical expenses, which totaled around $2,000.

But Judge Maslow saw through this limitation and acknowledged that DeBlase was not just a pet owner, but she was also a victim herself. He stated, "Since Nan DeBlase was walking Duke at the time of the accident, it is only right for her to receive compensation for the emotional distress she suffered from witnessing Duke's death and fearing for her own safety. This was all a result of the defendant's negligent and reckless behavior while operating his vehicle."

DeBlase and her family will have to return to court to learn the amount of damages they will receive for the incident. In the meantime, they can only hope that justice will be served for the loss of their beloved pet. And as a reminder to all pet owners, it is important to know and understand the laws surrounding pet ownership and be prepared for any legal challenges that may arise.

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