LEGISLATURE

Bill signed into law to let people save

loved ones' pets if they die, become
incapacitated
Chelsea Curtis
Arizona Republic
Published 5:54 p.m. MT April 1, 2021 Updated 8:15 p.m. MT April 1, 2021

A bill that would allow landlords to save a tenant's pet in the event of their death or
incapacitation was signed into law on Thursday, according to the Arizona Governor's Office.

House Bill 2507, also known as "Matthew's Law," was introduced earlier this year in the
wake of 27-year-old Matthew Meisner's murder last July. He was fatally shot while walking
home in Tempe as part of what police suspect was a months-long crime spree committed by
two teenage boys.

For four days after Meisner's death, his cats — Skitty, Hunter and QT — were locked in his
apartment without food and water. They were considered personal property under state law
at the time, meaning they could not be accessed by his family or landlord for up to 15 days.

With help from police, however, the cats were rescued and have since been nursed back to
health.

Meisner's cousin, Meagen Epstein, over the next several months made it her mission to make
the loss of a loved one easier for Arizona families in the future. She worked with state officials
on drafting the bill to allow landlords to remove animals from a property one day after the
tenant's death or incapacitation. They can then release the animal to the tenant's relative or a
shelter.

State Rep. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, introduced the bill in January. It was signed into law
by Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday, his office announced in a news release.

"Family members should be able to protect a loved one's pet after a tragic event," Ducey said
in a statement included in the news release. "Today's legislation protects pets and families,
and I'm hopeful no one else has to face what Matthew's family experienced after he was taken
far too soon."

Epstein said she hopes the bill can be adopted by other states throughout the country.

"I am so incredibly proud to live in a country where it is possible for normal, average, every-
day citizens to have a voice and make changes in legislation," Epstein said in a statement to
The Arizona Republic on Thursday.

"We were able to ensure no other family will ever have to endure being prevented from
gaining access to a loved one's pet or service animal if that loved one dies or becomes
incapacitated," she said.

"This is a genuine all-American hero story. The heroes are people just like you: The citizens
of Arizona who supported Matthew's Law, making sure goodwill — not evil — prevailed."

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on

Twitter @curtis_chels. 

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