In April of 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized new Guidance for Industry (GFI) #120: Veterinary Feed Directive Regulation Questions and Answers to inform industry stakeholders and small...more
Post-conviction ownership bans for animal abuse are a recognized potential legal consequence in at least forty states. In New Jersey, Moose’s Law, a bill which has been proposed since 2012, would prohibit people convicted of...more
As more and more couples are disputing pet custody issues when divorcing or separating, there is increasing concern in the legal community about how to fairly adjudicate these disputes, without unnecessarily burdening the...more
The Dallas Zoo has been the target of several criminal acts including animal theft, animal endangerment, vandalism, and suspected intentional injury to a vulture found dead with a suspicious wound....more
H.R. 263: Big Cat Public Safety Act was passed Congress on December 6, 2022 — next stop — the President.
If enacted, the amendments to the Lacey Act would revise restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats,...more
As you recall, Governor Christie signed amendments to the New Jersey Animal Cruelty Statutes that repealed the long-standing authority of the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to enforce the animal...more
No, this does not mean what you may think. I believe the best way to protect animals, is to provide for their humane care by their owners. This position is juxtaposed to those who believe animals should be considered...more
A recently enacted Virginia law amending Va. Code § 3.2-6511.2 imposes strict requirements on commercial dog and cat breeders who sell animals “for experimental purposes,” like research. Senate Bill 87, and its counterpart...more
In a long-awaited decision about whether Happy the Elephant could be designated a person for the purposes of a writ of habeas corpus, the Court of Appeals of the State of New York has spoken. In a word—no. ...more
Injuries to a woman who heroically jumped in a canal to save a neighbor’s dog were not considered viable as a cause of action under the state’s rescue doctrine. See Ann Samolyk v. Dorothy Berthe, III, No. A-16-21 (085946)...more
A recent Bill, A2354, introduced in February of this year by New Jersey legislators should be on the forefront of any New Jersey animal owner’s mind. The Bill proposes amendments, bolstering existing animal cruelty statute...more
For those who will be regulated by USDA under the Animal Welfare Act for non-exempt facilities with birds not bred for use in research the time is ripe for you to submit comments to the proposed regulation published on Feb....more
Concerns about the potential for antibiotic resistance started when they were first introduced as life-saving tools in human medicine. Despite such concerns, the importance of these tools for public and animal health have...more
A Washington Supreme Court found that a person can be a victim of a crime of domestic violence if their pet is subjected to acts of animal cruelty by a partner to cause the person/victim psychological harm. Such cases...more
A variant of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – one that is not an immediate threat to humans – is on the move in the United States in both wild bird and domestic poultry flocks. USDA has confirmed the isolation of...more
As previously described, NJ bill A1219 would require veterinarians or health officials to notify known pet owners prior to rabies testing of the deceased pet, which currently involves decapitation to provide maximum...more
According to the owners of Sospiro Goat Ranch, a small family goat farm in North Carolina, as reported on their blog, “the Facts About the Attack On Our Farm,” dated 7/4/2018, “vegan terrorists” trespassed onto their farm and...more
California recently updated its website providing answers to “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)” pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 16, Sections 2032.1,...more
S4168, a bill introduced in the NJ Senate, would require licensure for veterinary technicians. New Jersey has not required licensure of veterinary technicians or other veterinary assistants, and the New Jersey Veterinary...more
Labeling of meat and poultry products has been the subject of numerous lawsuits, in which labels claiming products are, for example, “natural,” “humanely-raised,” “antibiotic-free,” are alleged to be fraudulent, amongst other...more
Recently introduced Senate bill 4058 would reintroduce third parties into the enforcement, seizure and relocation of companion animals based on alleged acts of animal cruelty after the legislature successfully ousted the...more
According to Animal Legal Defense Fund, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has recognized hippos as legal persons for the first time in the United States, because a Community of Hippopotamuses Living in...more
Most of you should already be aware of concerns about the spread of foreign animal disease, African Swine Fever (ASF), into the United States. for those who need an update:
ASF has never been identified in the US, but...more
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Natural Resources Defense Council submitted a petition for rule-making to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and...more
According to the USDA OIG Audit Report 33601-0003-23, previously available online, APHIS Animal Care (AC) had agreed that it would review barrier issues and may require reporting of escapes and attacks. However, Audit Report...more