A national public policy advisory group last fall approved a resolution opposing legislation that would reclassify pet owners as guardians, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.).

The Council of State Governments also opposes legislation that would allow owners to recover noneconomic damages for the loss or injury of companion animals.

According to the resolution, “guardianship statutes would undermine the protective care that owners can provide for their animals and the freedom of choice owners are now free to exercise, and could permit third parties to petition courts for custody of a pet … for which they do not approve of the husbandry practices.”

Moreover, the resolution states, “guardianship status would permit challenging in a court of law the course of treatment an animal’s owner and veterinarian decide on … .”

The CSG also objects to expanding tort law to allow people to recover damages for emotional distress and loss of companionship in litigation involving animals.

Copies of the new policy will be distributed to all state agriculture commissioners and legislative agricultural committee members.

The resolution is in part a response to a nationwide campaign to refer to pets as guardians, spearheaded by the animal rights group In Defense of Animals (Petaluma, Calif.). [February 2005 PET AGE]