Sick pet is grounds for time off, Italian court rules

Animal rights group says decision is ‘step forward’ for push to recognise animals as family members

Golden retriever
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images)

Looking after a sick pet constitutes “serious personal grounds” for time off work, an Italian court has ruled.

A female complainant petitioned the court after her employer - Rome’s La Sapienza university - refused to grant her paid leave to take her dog to the vet.

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