Plaintiffs: Dog was more than property

OREGON CITY, Ore., May 22 (UPI) -- An Oregon family hopes to break legal ground by winning a large damage award for the loss of companionship of a dog killed by a neighbor.

The issue is whether pets are property or something more, The Oregonian newspaper said. Legal precedents so far have come down on the side of property, with owners able to recoup only financial losses, including the animal's monetary value and veterinary expenses.

The Greenup family of Estacada claim that their pet, Grizz, a 14-year-old mix of Labrador and cocker spaniel, was worth $1.625 million to them, The Oregonian reports. Grizz had to be put to sleep in 2004 after he was run over by a neighbor, Raymond Weaver.

Weaver, who was convicted of animal abuse and sentenced to 90 days in jail, said that the dog's death was an accident caused by the family's allowing their elderly pet to roam free. But the Greenups said that he deliberately struck the dog and almost injured their two daughters when they tried to rescue their pet.

A judge rejected a motion from Weaver's lawyer to throw out the claim for loss of companionship, allowing the issue to be considered by a jury.