Nebraska lawmakers declare pets to be personal property

LINCOLN, NEB. — Nebraska has passed a law that will preempt efforts to award non-economic damages in cases of pet loss.

Legislative Bill 459, signed into law on March 7, states that no political subdivision may issue a rule, regulation, ordinance, resolution or proclamation that would assign any legal status other than one of personal property to animals.

One of the main topics of debate for states considering non-economic damages cases is whether animal owners can be granted rights that extend beyond those granted to certain groups of people (such as grandparents in cases of the loss of a grandchild).