Animal & Dog Law Overview

Animal & Dog Law Resources

Related Practice Areas

Animal law is the body of law surrounding pet ownership, wildlife, animals used in the entertainment industry and animals raised for food and research. Animal law is a combination of various areas of law, such as tort, criminal, contract and constitutional law. Important issues in animal law include animal cruelty, companion animal concerns, animal breeding and animal estate planning.

Animal Cruelty

Animal protection laws, known as anti-cruelty laws, regulate the abuse of animals. The Animal Welfare Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture to regulate the use of animals in research settings, circuses and zoos. Additionally, every state criminalizes the commission of inhumane acts against animals. In many states, violation of these laws is treated as a felony. Animal cruelty laws address a wide variety of issues, including owner neglect, pet mills or "farms" and animal laboratory testing. The Humane Society of the United States works to shield animals from mistreatment by actively investigating potential abusers. Another prominent animal rights organization is the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which seeks to protect abused animals through the legal system. The ALDF brings a number of lawsuits each year in an effort to eliminate animal cruelty.

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  • Shame on Chicago
    For readers who don't know, I live in Chicago. I've lived here for more than ten years now. Overall, I like it. But I have also had the opportunity to observe Chicago politics firsthand. And you know what? It really is corrupt. Not just "was" corrupt, as in the old jokes about voting early and often. It is corrupt currently. Everyone who lives here knows it and most of us accept it as the basic way of life here. For the most part, it doesn't even negatively impact our lives - unless you cross...
    (May 14, 2008)
  • Founder of Attorneys for Animals Passes
    It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Michigan animal law attorney Wanda A. Nash, a friend to many of us in the animal law community and a true advocate for the cause. Over the course of some four decades, Wanda was involved in many welfare groups, taught legal courses, maintained a practice, was active in the animal law section of the Michigan State Bar and helped found Attorneys for Animals. A local newspaper wrote a very nice obituary in her memory. Here's to Wanda.
    (May 13, 2008)
  • Chicago alderman hopes to force vote to repeal foie-gras ban
    At the time Chicago banned the sale of foie gras, opponents of the measure criticized - among other things - that the City Council had better things to do. Now, some two years later, those opponents seem to have plenty of time to continue their efforts to repeal a measure, which did not, in fact, negatively impact Chicago's restaurant business. Click here to read the Chicago Tribune article...
    (May 12, 2008)
  • Loving v. Virginia Plaintiff Passes
    Blogger's note: Loving v. Virginia was one of the most important civil rights cases in U.S. history. And since many of us in animal law have been inspired by, learned from, and continue to attempt to build upon the struggles and achievements of the civil rights movement in this country, I wanted to take a moment to note the passing of one of plaintiffs in this landmark decision. Mildred Loving Followed Her Heart and Made History By Neely Tucker Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, May 6, 2008;...
    (May 10, 2008)
  • AVMA (once again) opposes recognizing any worth of animals beyond market value
    This article from the upcoming issue of JAVMA News: May 15, 2008 Vermont's high court considers pets' special value Suit seeks compensation for emotional pain and loss of companionship Vermont's Supreme Court will hear a case about whether a pet owner has the right to compensation for the emotional pain and loss of companionship when the animal dies as a result of negligence. Sensing the importance of the case, veterinary associations-including the AVMA-animal rights groups, and other...
    (May 4, 2008)