A family in the US state of Oregon is suing a neighbour for damages of $1.6m over the death of its dog which was run over by a truck in 2004. <br />Neighbour Raymond Weaver was convicted of animal abuse in a criminal trial but Mark Greenup and his family want civil damages for loss of companionship. <br /><br />Such claims are normally reserved for humans and the case could change the way US law determines pet ownership. <br /><br />A jury trial begins on Tuesday to consider the family's claim. <br /><br />Grizz, a Labrador retriever and cocker spaniel mix, had to be put down after being run over. <br /><br />Mr Weaver's lawyer argued the incident was an accident and wants the loss of companionship claim to be dropped. <br /><br />But Mr Weaver was convicted of animal abuse and reckless endangerment of another person in a criminal trial last year. <br /><br />New precedent <br /><br />A jury will now determine whether the loss of the pet is worth more than the typical compensation which usually equals the value of the animal and expenses such as veterinary care. <br /><br />Legal experts say if the family is successful it could change the law's perception of animals as property. <br /><br />"A pet is something more than property and people deal with pets differently than TVs or cars," the family lawyer, Geordie Duckler says. <br /><br />"People who wouldn't be distressed over the loss of a car would be at the loss of a dog."
<br /><br /><br />tommays
