HF 2733

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2025 03:03 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to animals; creating a civil cause of action and allowing punitive and
emotional civil damages for injury to pets; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 604.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [604.145] LIABILITY; INJURY TO PETS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A person who injures another person's pet is liable to the owner of the pet for the
cost of the injury, including medical bills, actual damages, emotional damages, and punitive
damages as provided in sections 549.191 and 549.20.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not apply to:
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new text begin (1) a licensed veterinarian who acts pursuant to a valid veterinary license and the acts
would not be cause for revocation, suspension, or limitations according to section 156.081;
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new text begin (2) a licensed veterinarian when the owner asks the veterinarian to cause the pet's death;
new text end

new text begin (3) a licensed veterinarian acting pursuant to state law or local ordinance; and
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new text begin (4) any person authorized to kill a pet under state law.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this section, "pet" means a nonhuman mammal, bird, or reptile
impounded or held for breeding, or possessed by, cared for, or controlled by a person for
the present or future enjoyment of that person or another, and does not include livestock.
new text end