‘Scruffles Law’ Author And GOP 12th District Candidate Daryl Kipnis To Speak At Animal Rights Rally In Flemington On Saturday
‘Scruffles Law’ Author And GOP 12th District Candidate Daryl Kipnis To Speak At Animal Rights Rally In Flemington On Saturday
Group Will Gather At PetSmart Location Where Dog Lost Its Life
Who: Somerset Attorney and GOP Congressional Candidate Daryl Kipnis
What: Press Conference During Animal Rights Rally
Where: 132 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822
When: Saturday, May 5, 2018 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Press Conference at 1:30 p.m.
Information: “Scruffles’ Law,” named for Scruffles, the English bulldog owned by his client, Danielle
DiNapoli of Lambertville, died after being presented for routing grooming at a PetSmart in
Flemington on Dec. 29, 2017.
Kipnis’s Somerset law office worked on writing the proposed law.
The proposed legislation recognizes the relationship that owners of domestic companion animals
have with their pets and gives them powerful legal remedies against individuals who cause the
injury or death of their pets through negligence, recklessness, or animal cruelty.
Under the current New Jersey law, pets are viewed as property and a pet owner may only recover
economic damages (out of pocket expenses) against a party responsible for harming their pet,
which results in many animal abusers not being taken to court.
However, if Kipnis’ proposal becomes law, pet owners can now sue for economic damages, statutory damages of $10,000 per action, punitive damages based on the nature and severity of the act and the emotional distress of the owner and recover counsel fees.
“When I ran for the New Jersey State Senate last year, I promised to introduce legislation that
would make New Jersey the model for animal justice law in America,” Kipnis said. “I fully intend to deliver
on that promise by assisting Danielle secure justice for Scruffles, and when I’m the next Congressman for the 12th District, I will work to ensure that the bonds between pets and their owners all
throughout the country are recognized by law.”
Kipnis was the only 2017 Republican candidate for the New Jersey State Legislature to be endorsed by the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey.
A copy of the proposed legislation is enclosed with this advisory. Kipnis welcomes contact from anyone wishing to assist him in advocating for animal justice.
