Lockett v. Hill

Defendant’s dogs killed plaintiffs’ cat. The trial court found that defendant was negligent and awarded plaintiffs $1,000 in compensatory damages but denied plaintiffs’ claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress and loss of companionship. Plaintiffs appeal, arguing that they should be compensated for emotional distress resulting from witnessing the death of their pet. We affirm.

Although defendant’s answer denied all of the allegations in plaintiffs’ complaint, defendant did not appear at trial to offer any evidence contradicting plaintiffs’ testimony or affidavits. Nor did…