Oh Dog! We’re FINALLY back with some good news to share!
Meow everybody! This week we’re headed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for some good news. They have ruled that police in Massachusetts can enter a home without a warrant if animals are in distress.
It seems in January of 2011 police received a call that dogs appeared hurt or dead at a home. When they arrived they found two dogs lying down and presumably dead and a third in bad shape. After unsuccessful attempts to contact the home owner, they cut the lock to the gate, entered the backyard and rescued the dog that was still living. The home owner, Heather Duncan, was charged with three counts of animal cruelty.
Duncan’s attorney argued that police had no right to enter Duncan’s property without her consent as they had no search warrant. To do so would be a violation of the homeowner’s 4th Amendment rights against Unreasonable Search and Seizure. The court, however, held that animals should be held under the same emergency exception as humans when they are in distress and in need of help.
This is big news, because it means that Massachusetts courts do not see animals as property but as living beings that must be cared for.
Now, Massachusetts isn’t the first state to rule in the favor of animals; 13 others states have also ruled in this way. But it’s great news for those of us who want animals to no longer be seen as property by courts and by law enforcement officials.
I wonder when we can expect a case such as this to hit the US Supreme Court?
MEOW!
Dogpaddling Through Life 
Great news. Always nice to hear some of that
Happy Sunday
Nacho, Noah, Buddy & Basil
xxxx
I like good news too!
The fact this even had to go to court to be ruled on is appalling..so glad this is now a clear message that an animal like a human is entitled to the same protection if police see them in distress or danger…Fozziemum
I agree, and yet animals have been considered property by the courts for years. This is a step in the right direction.
It sure is and good news indeed 🙂
That’s a good step in the right direction, I hope for all anipals that they will be well treated and the police hasn’t to come. Have a wonderful sunday :o)
Yes, but sadly that sometimes has to happen. I’m just glad that now it can happen without a warrant.
One state at a time… we will get there
Absolutely!
It’s absolutely amazing to me that there are people out there that would still think a dying animal shouldn’t be saved (so long as it’s a professional like a police officer/animal control doing the “rescuing”). It’s great news to hear more states are allowing animals to be seen as living things and not just property. It is good news today! 🙂
Attorneys will try anything to get their clients off the hook!
That is sooo pawesome! Does this include getting into HOT cars in summer, too?
I would think so!
Thank you very much for this wonderful news Little Girl! This is a great step for animals! 🙂
Great news indeed!
We read this in the paper this morning!!! Great news!!!
This is wonderful news! I know most people see themselves as pet parents rather than owners, and animals as beings rather than things. So, it’s great that the courts are catching on!
Animals deserve basic rights, and this is one step closer to better welfare for animals.
Thanks for sharing! Made my day!
Hooray for Massachusetts.
Really good news
Oh that is great news!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Great news! As long as they states keep setting the precedents, hopefully it is inevitable that it will go national eventually.
I would be shocked to learn the Supreme Court took on such a case….but wait….aren’t they the ones that took on the case to rule companies are people???hmmmmmmmmmm….
Wow, that’s a significant ruling. I’d be a little anxious for it to go to the Supreme Court as it’d be a very slippery slope and I’d hate to see it overturned. Not all states are as kindhearted as Mass. I hope other states use this as a precedent and follow suit. My prayers are in the directions that animals in distress are treated equally to humans in emergency situations. They certainly out when out in nature, in the eyes of police and firefighters. Great post.
that is fantastic news Yippee,xx Speedy
this is wonderful news
Best wishes 🙂
Yay!
Yahoooo! This is pawsome news.
Roy & Shefali
Wha Hoo. Great news.
Such great news. Wondering how long it will take other states to follow suit. And how long before animals left in hot cars will be included.
Hurrrah Little Gurl diz iz pawsum n furabuluss newz!!
We all nose we 4 leggedz are just az purreshuss as Hu’Manz…it iz grrreat dat da peeple are wakin up to da truth…
Lub Nylablue n Sherriellen Mum ❤ ❤
Hooray, Massachusetts. An excellent step to help animals.