Welfare and legal aspects of making decisions on medical treatments of pet animals

Abstract

When it comes to humans and the necessity for their young ones' medical treatments, the parental responsibility is crucial. The decisions made by parents involve the legal aspects as well as welfare aspects, respectively. Pet animals are usually classified as property in the European Union, but pets are the same as kids regarding medical treatments and illnesses or diseases. In that case, the decisions are made by their owners, posing a legal challenge only if the proposed treatment can trigger damage or needless pain, as defined by the Law on pet animals' welfare. In this article, there will be discussed the best interests both in legal and welfare aspects of decisions being made in the medical treatments of the pets by their owners. Reaching the choice of pets' medical treatments will primarily be focused on pets protection and welfare avoiding unnecessary pain, which is in the pets` best overall welfare interests. While the Statute law is not a mandatory one considering the pets' best interests, this article might be a useful resource for professional veterinarians and practitioners. At the same time, this article regards of the best interests of the pets and it can be integrated into the existing ethical frameworks for making medical decisions and more humane treatment of pet animals.