What is the Measure of Damages For Wrongful Injury to a Pet?

Puppy with an injured paw The Second Appellate District follows the First. In Martinez v. Robledo the court held that damages for the wrongful injury of a pet are not limited to the market value of the pet but the owner may also recover the reasonable and necessary costs incurred for the treatment and care of the pet attributable to the injury.

 The court relied heavily on Kimes v. Grosser which held that the owner of a pet cat can recover the “costs of care of the pet attributable to an injury if the costs are found to be reasonable and necessary, and punitive damages if the injury is found to be intentional.”