Question
My dog died on 11/13/2020 we waited for a week and a few days the vet just told us that the crematorium has lost my pet, what should I do ?
Answer
I am very sorry for your loss. Hopefully, an amicable settlement can be reached to avoid litigation. You may sue for the loss of the ashes. Worth noting is a case in New York involving the loss of the body of a dog who was euthanized due to health reasons. The dog’s “parent” planned a funeral for the dog but when the casket was opened, she found the remains of a cat. The court, in finding in favor of the dog’s “parent,” stated: “In ruling that a pet such as a dog is not just a thing I believe the plaintiff is entitled to damages beyond the market value of the dog. A pet is not an inanimate thing that just receives affection; it also returns it. I find that plaintiff Ms. Corso did suffer shock, mental anguish and despondency due to the wrongful destruction and loss of the dog's body. She had an elaborate funeral scheduled and planned to visit the grave in the years to come. She was deprived of this right.” I cannot say if the court in your state would decide a similar case in the same way. Again, I am very sorry for your loss.
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