Our Friends' Legal Quest to Make Dogs Recognized as Companions

Our friends Sarah and Denis are big dog lovers (like us). They lost a dog to a murderous man, while vacationing in Vermont years ago, and have never gotten over it- The law there (and many states) considers dogs a "piece of property" instead of family. That law needs to GO! Sarah and Denis are now in court this week fighting for the change. GO SARAH AND DENIS!!! Here's their website about their struggle:
http://www.justiceforshadow.com/

CAPTION: AP – In this undated photo released by the Scheele family, their pet dog, Shadow, is seen in Annapolis, Md.

FROM TODAY'S ASSOCIATED PRESS: Vt. court eyes value of love of man's best friend
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont's highest court is being asked to decide what a dog's love is worth. The state Supreme Court on Thursday began hearing a case that started in July 2003, when Denis and Sarah Scheele, who were visiting relatives, let their mixed-breed dog wander into Lewis Dustin's yard and he fatally shot it.
Now the Scheeles, of Annapolis, Md., are asking the court to carve out a new legal doctrine that a dog's owners can sue for emotional distress and loss of companionship, just like parents can when they lose children.
"It's so important for people to really recognize the relationship between the families and their companion animals," said Sarah Scheele, 58, who attended Thursday's court hearing.
FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091217/ap_on_re_us/us_dog_shooting