Animals are property.

Simple on its face, this characterization is a far-reaching legal concept that forms the foundation for virtually all equine law and business principles. The law divides property into two general categories: real property (land and all things growing or built on the land) and personal property (everything else). Although it may surprise people who treat their animals like family members, or sometimes better, animals are considered personal property in all fifty states.

Like other property, animals are considered “goods” under the Uniform Commercial Code. This body of law, adopted in some form in every jurisdiction, governs business transactions. Disputes involving animals are resolved in the same way as disputes involving other types of property, without regard to any “rights” the animal might possess. Animals’ owners, not the animals themselves, are plaintiffs and defendants in the event of a lawsuit. Damages for harm to an animal generally, but not always, are limited to economic damages–the animal’s fair market value.

Because they are considered personal property, animals can be bought, traded, sold, or given away; leased; bred commercially with undesirable animals being culled; raced and exhibited, all without their owners running afoul of the law. An animal that becomes sick or injured can be euthanized, with neither the owner nor the government under any legal obligation to provide medical care