KIPNIS TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION FOR ANIMAL JUSTICE

Kipnis Drafts Proposed “Scruffles’ Law” For Consideration By State Lawmakers

SOMERSET, NJ, April 6, 2018 – New Jersey 12th District congressional candidate, and
Somerset attorney, Daryl Kipnis today introduced a proposed powerful animal justice revision to
New Jersey’s Civil Code to be considered by the New Jersey State Legislature for passage as
“Scruffles’ Law,” named for Scruffles, the English bulldog owned by his client, Danielle
DiNapoli of Lambertville, that died after being presented for routing grooming at a PetSmart in
Flemington on Dec. 29, 2017.

Kipnis’s Somerset law office worked on writing the proposed law.

The proposed legislation recognizes the relationship that owners of domestic companion animals
have with their pets and gives them powerful legal remedies against individuals who cause the
injury or death of their pets through negligence, recklessness, or animal cruelty.

Under the current New Jersey law, pets are viewed as property and a pet owner may only recover
economic damages (out of pocket expenses) against a party responsible for harming their pet,
which results in many animal abusers not being taken to court.

However, if Kipnis’ proposal becomes law, pet owners can now sue for economic damages,
statutory damages of $10,000 per action, punitive damages based on the nature and severity of
the act and the emotional distress of the owner and recover counsel fees.

“Currently pet owners and pets have no real recourse in the event of gross negligence and
recklessness to their pets in others care,” DiNapoli said. “The unfortunate circumstance of our
dog’s death caused a social media outrage and exposed the nationwide deaths and injuries of
countless pets associated with poor business practices of PetSmart Groomers and Banfield Veterinary
Hospitals.” said DiNapoli.

“When I ran for the New Jersey State Senate last year, I promised to introduce legislation that
would make New Jersey the model for animal justice law in America,” Kipnis said. “I fully
intend to deliver on that promise by assisting Danielle secure justice for Scruffles, and when I’m the next
Congressman for the 12th District, I will work to ensure that the bonds between pets and their
owners all throughout the country are recognized by law.”

Kipnis was the only 2017 Republican candidate for the New Jersey State Legislature to be
endorsed by the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey.

A copy of the proposed legislation is enclosed with this release. Kipnis welcomes contact from
anyone wishing to assist him in advocating for animal justice.

SCRUFFLES-LAW

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