To the Indiana General Assembly and the Governor of Indiana:

 

Indiana law generally treats companion animals as personal property. But our pets are not ordinary objects. They are living beings who experience pain, fear, comfort, trust, and love. They are our children, family members, and companions.

 

I am asking Indiana lawmakers to introduce and pass Sky’s Law, named in memory of my beloved dog, Sky.

 

Sky was my child, my family, and one of the greatest loves of my life. After his tragic death, I learned that the law does not fully recognize the true value of his life or the devastating loss experienced by families when a beloved companion animal is wrongfully harmed or killed.

 

Sky’s Law should recognize companion animals as living beings and a special category of property rather than treating them like ordinary possessions. It should create meaningful accountability when a companion animal is seriously injured or killed through intentional, reckless, grossly negligent, or negligent conduct.

 

The law should also allow courts to consider reasonable veterinary and aftercare expenses and provide limited compensation that recognizes the genuine loss of companionship between a family and a beloved animal.

 

This proposed law would not prevent responsible veterinary professionals from providing necessary care. It would promote accountability, patient safety, timely communication, and recognition that an animal’s life cannot be measured only by a purchase price or market value.

 

Please help us pass Sky’s Law so that Indiana recognizes what pet families already know:

 

Our pets are not ordinary property.

 

Their lives matter.

 

Their suffering matters.

 

The love and bond we share with them matter.

 

Sky’s life was priceless.

 

For Sky. Always. 🐾

 

Update on Why I Continue Fighting for Sky’s Law

Since starting this petition, I have continued seeking answers about the final hospitalization of my child, Sky.

An internal medical review has since acknowledged that earlier treatment of one of Sky’s serious abnormalities would have been a reasonable alternative, that the treatment decision was reviewed with the veterinarian involved, and that communication during Sky’s severe deterioration could have been escalated sooner and more clearly.

Sky entered the emergency hospital documented as alert, mentally appropriate, and able to walk. During his hospitalization, he deteriorated profoundly and ultimately became comatose. There are still important unanswered questions about the timing of his treatment, monitoring, communication, and the cause of that deterioration.

The hospital offered a full refund for his final hospitalization. I refused it because this has never been about money or compensation. No refund and no amount of money could ever compensate for my child’s life. Sky was priceless to me.

If compensation had been my goal, I could have pursued or discussed a financial settlement. I did not. What I want is accountability, answers, meaningful change, and stronger protection for other families and their companion animals.

This experience has made the purpose of Sky’s Law even more important to me. When a companion animal is seriously harmed or dies, families deserve meaningful accountability that recognizes that these animals are living members of our families—not simply property with a financial value.

I cannot bring Sky back, but I hope his story can help protect another animal and another family. That is what I am fighting for.

Please continue signing and sharing Sky’s Law. Every voice helps. ❤️