Dogs are "property", right?

[litlone873]

I have a question. If a dog (or any animal for that matter) is considered property, and we have a right to own them, then how can they be taken away when there is cruelty involved? Technically speaking.

The thought popped into my head one day when someone on another forum asked if they could claim their dog as a dependant. This lead to further discussion about if dogs were considered a dependant, then we as humans don't have a right to own them, therefore they can be taken away.

Am I all mixed up? Educate me please.

[Cassiepeia]

I think mostly it has to do with the fact that (most) humans have compassion and property or not animals are living things (making them completely different from other types of property). It's only right that we remove them from harmful situations when ever possible.

Cass.

[britishbandit]

I don't consider dogs to be property or posessions. They are my kids, and my dependants.......and if I am was not treating them properly and abusing them, they should be taken from me just like a child would be in the same situation.

Originally Posted by litlone873

The thought popped into my head one day when someone on another forum asked if they could claim their dog as a dependant. This lead to further discussion about if dogs were considered a dependant, then we as humans don't have a right to own them, therefore they can be taken away.

Why would them being dependents mean we don't have a right to have them in our lives? Children are dependents also, and MANY MANY people have kids.

I think that no matter what, any living thing should be treated properly. Whether it's a child, a cat, a dog, a rat, a rabbit, a horse.......etc, if you're abusing it, that's when they should be taken from the home. And governements need to stiffen up the penalties for child and animal abusers.

[calgal]

When one has no voice, then we have the right to give them one.

[Punkygirl0101]

I don't consider dogs "Property" at all! My friend's brother in law views his chained pit as property...he doesn't refer to him as a dog, but as 200$ he spent on him.

My pets are not my property, they are my responsibility..like children.

[Cassiepeia]

I don't think the initial question was asking 'do we consider them property' (which of course I, like you, don't) just pointing out that technically they are considered property and if they are "then how can they be taken away when there is cruelty involved? Technically speaking." In addition to the second question of course.

Cass.

[litlone873]

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

I don't think the initial question was asking 'do we consider them property' (which of course I, like you, don't) just pointing out that technically they are considered property and if they are "then how can they be taken away when there is cruelty involved? Technically speaking." In addition to the second question of course.

Cass.

Exactly. I don't consider mine property, they are family. But it's my understanding that the law considers them property. So the question still remains, how can Animal Control or SPCA or whomever take them away in abuse situations? Couldn't the owner fight it since they are technically stealing from them?

[Beryl]

I think we are caught up with the word "property". Dogs have "property" value and are allowed to be bought and sold like any other property.

However, many of us view them as dependents -- no different from children but can't be claimed that way. Like children, we should not be allowed to care for them if we do not do it properly.

There should be another word to describe them, IMO.

[Novel]

They are considered "property" by law, yet other laws also say what we can and cannot do with that property.

Just because they are considered property does not mean that we have no rules that dictate our behavior with them. There are laws about our actions with other non-living property as well. Example: Meth creating ingredients, guns, vehicles.

And as far as dependent status... as they are considered property, our expenses incurred in their care cannot be "deducted". Our vehicles cost us money to maintain and operate. We can't claim them as dependents either.

[DFrost]

Under the law, any property can be taken away from the owner if certain legal requirements are met. For example; in some states, if you drive an automobile and your drivers license has been revoked for driving under the influence, you car can be seized and sold at auction. There are several stages that can be employed; impounded, seized and property forfieture. Each step is an act of law and decided by a judge, based on law. It does include animals.

DFrost