Originally posted by Rachel
Although I feel badly for this person's loss of her precious pet and I love my two as deeply as anyone could, but I simply cannot conceive misrepresenting them as a children to the police.

Where our laws are concerned I feel that there does need to be a better recognition of the importance and deep emotional bond that a person can have for their pets. When one is taken from us through willfull maliciousness or negligent action on the part of another, there should be means to sue to compensate (for lack of a better word, no money can really compensate) for the loss of a significant relationship...more than the mere value of Personal Property as now exists in the law.
Excellent response Rachel. I couldn't have put it any better and probably not half as well. As to making this poor woman serve time in jail I say NO! We have so many people it seems doing more serious things who "get off" that it would be an extreme injustice. I believe a stiff fine would be in order to show that lying to the police will not be tolerated, but jail time....definitely NO!