Richardson v. Fairbanks North Star Borough

OPINION

MOORE, Justice.

This case concerns the proper measure of damages for the death of a pet dog caused by a municipality’s negligence. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Shelter (hereafter Borough or pound) violated a Borough ordinance and mistakenly killed the Richardsons’ pet dog, Wizzard. The Richardsons had owned the dog for about two months. At trial the superior court limited the damage award to the dog’s market value or replacement cost. The Rich-ardsons appeal the measure of damages applied by the court. We affirm.

I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

After an unsuccessful search for their…