Chicago ordinance limiting the sale of cruelly raised animals upheld by the Seventh CircuitBy Bruce Wagman & Molly L. WiltshireAnimal Law, November 2017The Seventh Circuit decision marks a victory for the important principle that local governments have the right to enact animal protective legislation focusing on issues identified within the specific municipality.
“Property plus” – A new well-being standard for the family pet in marriage dissolution proceedingsBy Alicia Hill RuizAnimal Law, November 2017On January 1, 2018, Illinois begins its work as the first state to mandate that in any allocation of a marital asset companion animal under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (“IMDMA”), the court “...shall take into consideration the well-being of the companion animal.”
Herding cats (The Illinois Feral Cat Task Force)By Ledy VanKavageAnimal Law, April 2017The recently created Feral Cat Task Force Resolution was charged with making recommendations for changes that would result in the effective management of feral and community cats, preserve wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health.
Animal welfare topics at the forefrontBy Jeffrey A. MolletAgricultural Law, March 2017There have been a couple of developments on the animal welfare front recently, one by the United Nations and the other from the USDA.
Animal law and environmental law: Exploring the connections and synergiesBy Angela PetersAnimal Law, December 2016Environmental law, with its intricate layers of international, federal, state, and local laws, is more established than its animal law counterpart. Yet animal law faces many of the same legal and strategic challenges that environmental law faced in seeking to establish a more secure foothold, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Tis the seasonBy Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, December 2016A message from Editor Melissa A. Maye.
Animal laws in the newsBy Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, September 2016Three recent cases of interest to animal law practitioners.
Temporary nuisance production agriculture in the cross-hairs againBy Stephen R. KaufmannAnimal Law, September 2016On May 24, 2016, following a three-week trial, a jury in Scott County, Illinois returned a verdict in favor of the hog producer defendants and against ten Plaintiffs who had brought a cause of action for private temporary nuisance relating to odor, flies and dust allegedly caused by a swine livestock management facility. This was the first such trial in Illinois.
Emotional support animals on campusBy Robert L. MillerGovernment Lawyers, June 2016While requests for emotional support animals on campuses are not new, the frequency and variety of these requests has been growing over the last several years.
Emotional support animals on campusBy Robert L. MillerAnimal Law, June 2016While requests for emotional support animals on campuses are not new, the frequency and variety of these requests has been growing over the last several years.
Emotional support animals on campusBy Robert L. MillerEducation Law, June 2016While requests for emotional support animals on campuses are not new, the frequency and variety of these requests has been growing over the last several years.
On the Listserve – “B-a-a-a-a-ning Goats”By Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, June 2016A recent discussion on the ISBA's General Discussion Group involved village ordinances and goats.
Illinois top for animal protection laws, but fight continuesBy Ken StalkfleetAnimal Law, May 2016The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranked Illinois as the top jurisdiction in the United States for animal protection for the eighth consecutive year in 2015. However, the report also listed several potential improvements.
In a divorce, Illinois courts have no authority to order pet “visitation”By Michele M. JochnerAnimal Law, May 2016In the first case of its kind in Illinois, the First District Appellate Court has ruled that courts have no authority to enter an order requiring that a soon-to-be ex-spouse have “visitation” rights with pets.
In a divorce, Illinois courts have no authority to order pet “visitation”By Michele M. JochnerFamily Law, March 2016In the first case of its kind in Illinois, the First District Appellate Court has ruled that courts have no authority to enter an order requiring that a soon-to-be ex-spouse have “visitation” rights with pets.
The American Kennel Club steps up to help in the aftermath of natural disastersBy David H. HopkinsAnimal Law, September 2015In September 2013, through its affiliate, “AKC Reunite,” the American Kennel Club launched a campaign to muster funds to pay for so-called disaster trailers, stocked with supplies for pet rescues in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Each fully stocked trailer costs approximately $22,500; and, as of July, 2015, less than two years later, over $1,000,000 has been raised, resulting in a couple dozen trailers being placed, with others in the pipeline.
HEEL! Municipalities now restricting reckless dog ownersBy Ledy VankavageAnimal Law, September 2015If a dog is deemed dangerous or vicious under the state law and there is a subsequent incident, the owner can be guilty of a felony, thus city attorneys are encouraged to utilize the state provisions.
Highlighting animal heroes—The Bryan & Amanda Bickell FoundationBy Anna E. Morrison-Ricordati & Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, September 2015Learn more about this important organization and its work to raise awareness of and dispel the myths surrounding "pit bulls."
Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Programs—An overviewBy Lisa VelezAnimal Law, September 2015Many states in the US now recognize that TNR is an effective long-term solution to humanely controlling the population of free-roaming/community cats.
Animal law in the newsBy Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, June 2015Recent updates of interest to animal law practitioners.
Exotic animal resolution passes the ABA House of DelegatesBy Ledy VanKavageAnimal Law, June 2015After much hard work and numerous amendments, a resolution regarding the ownership of exotic animals passed the American Bar Association House of Delegates Meeting in February, 2015.
Editor’s cornerBy Melissa Anne MayeAnimal Law, April 2015Updates on the Section's recent activities, practice news, and an introduction to this issue from Editor Melissa Anne Maye.
