A new law recently passed by the Washington City Council in the United States, upgraded the status of pets from the status of property - to having the status of possessing various legal rights.
In a legislative blitz that began in the municipality towards the end of the civil year, it was unanimously determined that there is a ban on clipping cat's nails on the grounds that it is a barbaric and worthless act;
A ban on the mass trade in puppies, which turns the act into a criminal act, and it also bans the field of dog fighting.
Also, the law will directly affect divorce battles between spouses, because if until today the pet was considered property and the discussion was who bought it and who paid for its value, from now on the discussion will be about the best place to live for the animal.
It is also about such a relationship that will allow situations of joint custody of the animal, as happens with children.
What will they do with the pet?
A married couple, photo: Getty Images
The new legislation in Washington is not a new act, but rather a growing trend in the US. Similar laws have already been passed in Alaska, California and Illinois. According to experts in the field of law, this trend will also spread to other regions throughout the country, as part of the trend where animals are considered part of the family - and not property.
Those who welcome the new law are the animal organizations in Washington, as well as the lawyers in the field of family law.
Brent Kasht, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, said that he sees a significant increase in marital battles over the custody of animals: "The issue is starting to become a real legal problem that must be taken into account, because the animals are becoming part of our family."
Spare him the haircut, photo: Getty Images
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