You may have noticed that I am inexplicably captivated and fascinated by the constant stream of trial court proceedings and appeals involving cats, dogs and other animals. [See, The Bark Goes On (2/2/14); and Legal “Horse” And Other Tales (2/1/15)].
In recent months there has been an outburst of decisions relating to animals from both the Court of Appeals and the several Appellate Divisions:
Doeer v. Goldsmith, 2015 NY Slip Op 04752 (Court of Appeals) [decided on June 9, 2015] was a summary (four-judge) decision with a three-judge concurring opinion and two dissents (by three judges).
Doeer was the fourth time in recent years that the Court of Appeals has addressed the duty of care with respect to pets and animals.