Animal Law Commons^™

Confronting Barriers To The Courtroom For Animal Advocates: Introduction, Clayton Gillette, Joyce Tischler

Animal Law Review

Joyce Tischler describes the development of the field of animal law from the first animal law conference to its current recognition as one of today’s most important issues. Tischler traces the beginnings of animal law and its development, both parallel to and as part of the animal rights and protection movements. Tischler further explores common dilemmas facing animal lawyers and how these dilemmas, along with their responses, have helped shape animal law as we know it today.

Confronting Barriers To The Courtroom For Animal Advocates: Linking Cultural And Legal Transitions, Taimie Bryant, Una Chaudhuri, Dale Jamieson, Laura Ireland Moore, David J. Wolfson

Animal Law Review

Panelists: Taimie Bryant, Una Chaudhuri, and Dale Jamieson

Moderators: Laura Ireland Moore and David J. Wolfson

In this discussion, panelists explore the many viewpoints society holds with respect to nonhuman animals. The discussion broadly covers ethics and what constitutes ethical behavior in this regard. The question dealt with is, largely, what is the appropriate ethical model to use when arguing that animals deserve better treatment and expanded rights? Unlike parallel movements for human civil rights or women’s equality, the animal rights movement has much greater hurdles to overcome when it comes to arguing that animals deserve equal treatment under the …

Confronting Barriers To The Courtroom For Animal Advocates: Animal Advocacy And Causes Of Action, Carter Dillard, David Favre, Eric Glitzenstein, Mariann Sullivan, Sonia Waisman, Leonard Egert

Animal Law Review

Panelists: Carter Dillard, David Favre, Eric Glitzenstein, Mariann Sullivan, and Sonia Waisman

Moderator: Leonard Egert

In the third panel of the NYU Symposium, distinguished animal law professionals discuss various causes of action which may be used on behalf of animals in the courtroom. Panelists talk about traditional forms of standing, make suggestions for innovation using existing laws, and discuss visions of how they would like to see the law develop as it pertains to standing for animals.

The Ethical Case For European Legislation Against Fur Farming, Andrew Linzey

Animal Law Review

In recent years, several member states in the European Union enacted legislation to regulate or prohibit fur farming. This article calls for further action to ban the practice throughout the European Union. The Author notes animals’ inabilities to protect their own interests and the role of law to protect these vulnerable interests. The Author concludes by responding to the objections of fur farming proponents, ultimately finding no legitimate justification for the documented suffering of animals raised on fur farms.

Progress In Animal Legislation: Measurement And Assessment, Andrew N. Rowan, Beth Rosen

State of the Animals 2005

As the animal movement has gained more political authority and public acceptance, it needs better ways to assess and follow its progress—or lack thereof—towards its goals. In this era, in which nonprofits and funding agencies are demanding better measures of effectiveness, the animal movement needs to examine how it looks at the progress it is (or is not) making in gaining better legal protection for animals.

International Animal Law, With A Concentration On Latin America, Asia, And Africa, Neil Trent, Stephanie Edwards, Jennifer Felt, Kelly O'Meara

State of the Animals 2005

The status of domestic animal protection laws in Asia, Africa, and Latin America varies, as one might imagine, from country to country. Countries with high per capita incomes are more likely to have a large number of animal protection organizations, whose existence normally leads to the passage of protective legislation.1 The sociopolitical, cultural, and religious backgrounds of each country, as well as previous colonization, also influence whether it has animal protection legislation and whether these laws are enforced. Previous colonization is the case in many former British colonies, which often have very good laws but neither the means nor the …

Can The Injured Pet Owner Look To Liability Insurance For Satisfaction Of A Judgment? The Coverage Implications Of Damages For The Injury Or Death Of A Companion Animal, Mark Sadler

Animal Law Review

Much has been written in recent years regarding the important role pets play in our society and the legal consequences that have developed from that relationship. Both our courts and legislatures have recognized, in certain circumstances, the ability of a pet owner to recover from a wrongdoer in the event of negligent or intentional conduct that results in the death or injury of a companion animal. However, securing a damages award and recovering on a judgment secured may present the aggrieved pet owner with two entirely different challenges. Liability insurance coverage is critical to the latter concern. This paper provides …

Five Years Of The "New" Animal Welfare Regime: Lessons Learned From New Zealand's Decision To Modernize Its Animal Welfare Legislation, Peter Sankoff

Animal Law Review

In 1999, New Zealand took an ambitious step to update its animal welfare legislation. The new law included a limited provision to protect Great Apes from scientific experimentation that was heralded internationally as a huge step forward for animals. The Author suggests, however, that New Zealand’s other animals have not fared nearly as well under the new law, and that the notion of New Zealand as the “animal friendly” nation implied by its treatment of primates is more about perception than reality. This article explores the New Zealand experience, and suggests lessons that can be drawn from the modernization of …

State Animal Protection Laws -- The Next Generation, Stephan K. Otto

Animal Law Review

A vast increase in animal protection laws during the past decade has changed the legal landscape of animal law. The current generation of such laws includes more inventive and effective provisions, but more could be done. This article reviews the current laws of states across the country and proposes a number of specific provisions that would improve the force and effect of animal protection legislation. The Author’s goal is to identify pragmatic ways in which to make animals the most statutorily protected type of property in our country.

Man['S Best Friend] Does Not Live By Bread Alone: Imposing A Duty To Provide Veterinary Care, Phyllis Coleman

Animal Law Review

Although all states outlaw cruelty to companion animals, most jurisdictions only prohibit causing unnecessary suffering as well as failure to provide food, water, and shelter. They do not address whether owners must obtain veterinary care. Even the few statutes that mention such treatment do not define exactly what kind and how much is required. This article highlights the deficiencies in these laws. It argues that keeping pets creates an obligation to get them medical treatment when they are sick or injured and also explains why such a duty is necessary. In addition, it proposes uniform legislation that creates an explicit …

No Pets Allowed: Housing Issues And Companion Animals, Rebecca J. Huss

Animal Law Review

Companionship, emotional support, assistance for disabled family members, and general health benefits are just a few examples of why people choose to keep pets in their homes. This article explores the major legal issues that arise when people desire to keep companion animals in various types of housing. The Author examines the effects of federal, state, and local laws, as well as common contract clauses.

Front Matter

Animal Law Review

Front Matter includes Title Page, Masthead, Table of Contents, and advisors for Animal Law Review Vol. 12, Issue 1.

Animal Welfare: Its Place In Legislation, Christopher Shays

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Law And Public Policy: Future Directions For The Animal Protection Movement, Wayne Pacelle

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Citizen Standing To Enforce Anti-Cruelty Laws By Obtaining Injunctions: The North Carolina Experience, William A. Reppy Jr.

Animal Law Review

North Carolina law authorizes citizen standing for the enforcement of anti-cruelty laws, thus supplementing criminal prosecution by means not used in any other state. Citizens, cities, counties, and animal welfare organizations can enforce animal cruelty laws through a civil injunction. This article explores the various amendments to North Carolina’s civil enforcement legislation and the present law’s strengths and weaknesses. The Author suggests an ideal model anti-cruelty civil remedies statute.

Long-Term Outcomes In Animal Hoarding Cases, Colin Berry, Gary Patronek, Randall Lockwood

Animal Law Review

Animal hoarding is a form of abuse that affects thousands of animals each year, yet little is known about how cases are best resolved, the effectiveness of prosecution, and how sentences relate to the severity of the offense. This lack of information has hampered effective resolution and the prevention of recidivism. This study obtained information about the hoarder, animals, charges, prosecution, sentencing, and recidivism for fifty-six cases identified through media reports.

International Animal Rights: Speciesism And Exclusionary Human Dignity, Kyle Ash

Animal Law Review

The primary goal of this paper is to act as a heuristic device, to suggest an unconventional but practical perspective on the evolution of international law. Upon surveying discourse on the history of international law, texts of treaties, and declarations and writings of influential philosophers of law and morality, an antiquated perspective of humanity is apparent. A convention in international law, and a reflection of a common idea which feeds the foreboding trend of how humans relate to the planet, treats humanity as distinctively separate from the Earth’s biodiversity. Though environmental law is beginning to recognize the necessity of conserving …

Chinese Endangered Species At The Brink Of Extinction: A Critical Look At The Current Law And Policy In China, Charu Sharma

Animal Law Review

The People’s Republic of China harbors a vast number of plant and animal species, but those species have long been threatened by a thriving illegal trade. China became a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 1981 and has since passed a number of wildlife protection laws and regulations in an effort to curb the illegal trade and begin revitalizing some of its nearly-extinct animal populations. This article critically examines China’s legislation and judicial decisions, concluding that much work remains to be done to protect endangered species in China.

Caging Animal Advocates' Political Freedoms: The Unconstitutionality Of The Animal And Ecological Terrorism Act, Andrew N. Ireland Moore

Animal Law Review

The animal advocacy movement is facing another obstacle, resulting from the creation of the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act (AETA). The Act seeks to create harsh penalties including a Terrorist Registry for acts performed by the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and ALF-type actors. In addition, the proposed legislation will affect animal advocates not involved with the ALF. However, the model legislation, as written, must pass Constitutional scrutiny. This paper argues that the proposed Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act is unconstitutional due to its infringement on the First Amendment, its overbreadth, and its vagueness.

A Review Of Animal Rights: Current Debates And New Directions, Laura Ireland Moore

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

2004 Legislative Review, Joshua D. Hodes

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Looking For A Nexus Between Trust, Compassion, And Regulation: Colorado's Search For Standards Of Care For Private, Non-Profit Wildlife Sanctuaries, Katherine A. Burke

Animal Law Review

In 2004, the Colorado legislature amended its wildlife statutes, formally recognizing the existence of private, nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Opponents to the 2004 amendments and CDOW staff have repeatedly expressed concerns that private sanctuaries should not be authorized in the absence of regulations and enforcement mechanisms sufficient to protect the animals and the people who come into contact with them. In implementing the sanctuary statute, CDOW has followed a familiar pattern, relying on the accreditation program of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA) to provide the basis of …

Maximizing Scientific Integrity In Environmental Regulations: The Need For Congress To Provide Guidance When Scientific Methods Are Inadequate Or When Data Is Inconclusive, Mariyetta Meyers

Animal Law Review

A “best science available” directive appears in a variety of environmental law statutes. Although seemingly clear, this directive has created an abundance of litigation with various plaintiffs challenging agency decisions under the Administrative Procedure Act’s (APA) arbitrary and capricious standard of review. The courts’ review of the agency decisions based on such science largely depends on the various ways in which the “best science available” directive is written in the particular statute. That is, the more specific the congressional mandate, the less latitude the agency has in implementing congressional will; the broader the statutory language, the more breathing space the …

Reparations As A Basis For The Makah's Right To Whale, Russell C. D'Costa

Animal Law Review

The grant of whaling rights to the Makah Native-American tribe may be interpreted as a form of reparations owed to the tribe from the United States government. History details the many wrongs inflicted on the Makah by the government, and these wrongs therefore serve as the basis for reparations. Considered first is a brief review of recent attempts by the federal government to compensate Native Americans for past wrongs. Next, an examination of the history and culture of the Makah tribe provides a greater understanding of the significance of whaling to the Makah. The essay then expounds on why permitting …

False Advertising, Animals, And Ethical Consumption, Carter Dillard

Animal Law Review

In light of the fact that today’s consumers often want their products to be created in the most environmentally-, globally-, and animal-friendly ways possible, unethical sellers sometimes succumb to the incentive to persuade consumers that goods were created more ethically than they actually were. This article investigates the ways that consumers can protect themselves from false advertising through the use of federal and state agencies, independant review, federal and state courts, and private attorneys general actions.

On Redefining The Boundaries Of Animal Ownership: Burdens And Benefits Of Evidencing Animals' Personalities, Geordie Duckler

Animal Law Review

Were animals as personalty appreciated in their fundamental distinctions from other personal properties, the law might be able to fashion a more sophisticated set of legal responsibilities for, and rewards of, such ownership. As evidence doctrines on character and propensity expand and contract to address boundaries for these concepts, a fuller potential for property law may be effectively promoted as a result.

Breed Specific Legislation: Unfair Prejudice And Ineffective Policy, Devin Burstein

Animal Law Review

This comment examines breed specific legislation—the unfortunate attempt of legislatures throughout the country to address the valid concern over vicious dog attacks by prohibiting or strictly regulating entire breeds, most often pitbulls. To prevent the tragedies that can occur when a dog attacks a human, legislation must take aim at the heart of the problem, the human owners that allow, through negligence or intentional mistreatment and training, these attacks to occur.

Modern Trends In Veterinary Malpractice: How Our Evolving Attitudes Toward Nonhuman Animals Will Change Veterinary Medicine, Mary Margaret Mceachern Nunalee, G. Robert Weedon

Animal Law Review

The purpose of this article is to trace the historical trends in the attitudes of humans toward non-human animals generally and apply that analysis to recent and predicted future trends in veterinary malpractice jurisprudence. This article is also designed to assist attorneys representing owners and veterinarians in spotting the myriad legal issues that have arisen from these trends in order to more effectively represent parties to malpractice actions.

Origins Of Animal Law: Three Perspectives, Richard J. Katz, Michael C. Blumm, Holly Anne Gibbons

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Animal Law Review

Front Matter contains title page, masthead, advisors, and Table of Contents for Animal Law Volume 10, Issue 1.