Results
| Title |
Author |
Citation | Summary | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brief Summary of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) | Cynthia Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article gives a quick summary of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). The Act requires that humane methods of slaughtering and handling livestock in connection with slaughter be used. Livestock animals, such as cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and goats, must be rendered insensible to pain before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. |
Article |
| Table of Humane Society Enforcement Powers | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This table outlines the powers granted to agents of humane societies in some states to enforce anti-cruelty statutes. Such powers include serving search warrants, seizing animals, and arresting offenders. Some states require that humane officers complete training and instruction related to investigating animal cruelty. |
Topic Table |
| The Canadian Commercial Seal Hunt: In Search Of International Legal Protection For Harp Seals | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This paper considers several sources of international law as potential candidates to protect harp seals from cruelty and over-exploitation. Part I of this paper discusses the Canadian Marine Mammal Regulations, which are the legal-regulatory structure under which the hunt takes place. Part II describes the range and status of the main species targeted in the commercial seal hunt, namely, the harp seals. Part III reviews several several sources of international law as potential candidates to protect and conserve the targeted harp seals. This paper concludes that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES) is the most likely candidate to protect harp seals from unsustainable trade, and that they should be listed as a protected species under Appendix II. |
Article |
| Brief Summary of the Equine Activity Liability Act | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
Many states have enacted EALA, which limits equine professionals’ liability for injury or death to equestrian participants. EALA only limits liability if the injury or death had been due to an inherent risk involved with interacting with horses. EALA does not limit liability if the injury or death had been caused by a non-inherent risk or caused by the equine professional’s own negligence. |
Article |
| 2010 Significant Animal Law Cases | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This table provides a summary of the significant animal law cases (state and federal) from 2010. The cases are listed alphabetically by case name. |
Article |
| Animal Industry Interference (Ecoterrorism/Agroterrorism) | Cynthia Hodges |
Brief Summary of Animal Industry Interference ("Ag-Gag") Laws |
Topical Introduction | |
| Overview of Trainer Responsibility for Racehorse Breakdowns in New York | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal and Historical Center |
This legal summary contends that trainers should be held criminally liable when racehorses break down under the New York anti-cruelty statute, Agriculture and Markets Law § 353. This section prohibits anyone from unjustifiably overdriving, torturing, injuring, or killing animals. By racing unfit horses, the trainers are not only withholding medical care, but are causing pain and further injury to the horses, which is cruel under the statute. Knowingly racing an unfit horse meets the definition of “cruelty” under § 353, and a guilty trainer should be held to account. |
Article |
| Brief Summary of State Animal Enterprise Interference Laws | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
State animal terrorism laws have been enacted to protect agricultural research and production using animals. The laws prohibit acts that obstruct, impede, or disrupt agricultural operations, research, or experimentation conducted at an animal facility. A person who violates a state animal terrorism law may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, face a stiff fine and prison term, and may be required to pay restitution. Opponents of such laws argue that they may violate state and federal constitutional rights. |
Article |
| Brief Overview of Trainer Responsibility for Racehorse Breakdowns in New York | Cynthia F. Hodges | The Animal Legal and Historical Center |
This brief summary presents reasons why trainers should be held criminally liable when racehorses break down under the New York anti-cruelty statute, Agriculture and Markets Law § 353. This section prohibits anyone from unjustifiably overdriving, torturing, injuring, or killing animals. By racing unfit horses, the trainers are not only withholding medical care, but are causing pain and further injury to the horses, which is cruel under the statute. Knowingly racing an unfit horse meets the definition of “cruelty” under § 353, and a guilty trainer should be held to account. |
Article |
| Brief Summary of State Cat Laws | Cynthia F. Hodges | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
Most state cat laws deal with anti-cruelty and health concerns, such as requiring rabies vaccinations. A majority of states address over-population by requiring shelters to sterilize animals they adopt out, but otherwise consider free-roaming and feral cats to be a local issue. Local governments deal with the problems associated with these cats, such as nuisance, trespass, property damage, and destruction of native wildlife. |
Article |
