Veterinary Entities Win Summary Judgment Against Emotional Distress, Contract Claims

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The Washington Court of Appeals dismissed pet owners’ claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress and breach of contract against two veterinary entities, concluding pets were defined as property in the state of Washington. The case is Flynn v. Woodinville Animal Hosp., PS, 2023 Wash. App. LEXIS 413 (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). Please note that this opinion is unpublished and may be subject to specific rules concerning citation and precedential value.

In a March 6 opinion, the Washington Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s granting of the defendants’ joint motion for partial summary judgment, dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims.