"It already has laws forbidding cat declawing and designating its residents as pet guardians rather than pet owners. "
I had to write a paper on this in an argumentative writing class. The crux of the deal is if Fi Fi cost the owner $500 and a Vet inflicts injury to damage to a pet through negligence, malpractice or even if the pet has a fatal reaction to a vaccine, the owner only has recourse through “property laws” thus would only be able to recoup the cost of Fi Fi as damages.
With the change of status from “owners” or “guardians” They could sue for lo$$ of companion$hip, mental angui$h and other related causes.