Pet Custody Law Gains Momentum
Pet custody law has not yet reached the level of importance of child custody in divorce case. Regardless of how much a couple may love their pet dog, or cat, or iguana, court have generally treated pets as property, rather than as children. In Thailand law, pets are considered a property right that is controlled by the general marital property law rather than Thailand child custody law.
However, in the United States, there are some states that stand in exception to this standard, including Alaska, California, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire and New York. On Monday, March 27, 2023, British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma introduced legislation that would amend B.C.’s Family Law Act.The legislation intend to provide clearer parameters for judges in pet custody cases and issues.
The proposed amendments include requiring the consideration of factors such as each person’s ability and commitment to care for a pet, the relationship a child may have with a pet, the relationship of the pet to the members of the family, and the risk of violence within the family, and the threat of cruelty.
Photo credit: Roger Ahlbrand
