lawyer who specilizes in cases regarding animal neglect

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for animal neglect cases?

Animal neglect cases can be complex and may involve various other legal concepts. You should contact a criminal lawyer if you are facing an animal neglect charge. A lawyer will advise you of your rights and how to proceed with the case.

What does an animal lawyer do?

Animal lawyers are attorneys who specialize in cases involving animals, and are generally lawyers who practice law regarding injury to property. Animal lawyers specialize in property law, due to the law treating injuries to animals as injuries to personal property.

What constitutes animal neglect?

Animal neglect includes the deliberate abuse of an animal or the failure to take care of the animal. Keep in mind that what constitutes animal neglect can vary from state to state, or even county to county. It also depends on how strictly they are enforced.

What should I do if I’m charged with animal neglect?

You should contact a criminal lawyer if you are facing an animal neglect charge. A lawyer will advise you of your rights and how to proceed with the case. The criminal lawyer may also work to reduce or eliminate the neglect charge.

Who advocates for animal abuse?

ListNameBornOccupationBob Barker1923Former host of The Price Is Right, animal rights activistKim Basinger1953Actress, model, animal rights activistGene Baur1962Founder of Farm SanctuaryTom BeauchampProfessor of Philosophy at Georgetown University, co-author of The Human Use of Animals (1998)111 more rows

What actions are considered animal abuse?

What is animal cruelty? Animal cruelty involves gratuitously inflicting harm, injuring, or killing an animal. The cruelty can be intentional, such as kicking, burning, stabbing, beating, or shooting; or it can involve neglect, such as depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment.

What can animal neglect lead to?

Such neglect results in illness and starvation and may even lead to the death of the animals. Physical abuse refers to intentional acts that cause the animal pain, suffering, or death.

How do I report local animal abuse?

If you witness suspected cruelty to animals, call your local animal control agency as soon as possible or dial 9-1-1 if you're unfamiliar with local organizations. If you make a report of alleged animal cruelty, the responding agency is required to investigate.

What is classed as animal neglect?

Animal neglect situations are those in which the animal's caretaker or owner fails to provide food, water, shelter or veterinary care sufficient for survival. It can be either deliberate or unintentional, but either way, the animal suffers terribly.

What is the most common type of animal abuse?

animal neglectWhile direct violence is the most obvious form of animal abuse, animal neglect is a more common type of abuse. Thousands of dogs die each year due to neglect. If you see any of the signs below, do not hesitate to call your local animal control. You can report suspected cruelty or neglect anonymously.

What is passive cruelty?

Passive cruelty occurs when an animal is neglected, rather than being the victim of violent or direct abuse. An example is the inadequate grooming of a dog, leading to discomfort, matting, or skin conditions. Another is leaving an animal outside, without shelter, to endure extreme weather conditions.

What are basic animal rights?

Animal rights are moral principles grounded in the belief that non-human animals deserve the ability to live as they wish, without being subjected to the desires of human beings. At the core of animal rights is autonomy, which is another way of saying choice.

What is the punishment for animal cruelty?

(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both.

Can I steal a neglected dog?

Answer. Generally, individuals who believe an animal is being mistreated cannot lawfully take the animal away from the animal's “owner” though sometimes offering to purchase an animal works to get the animal out of a bad situation.

How do I contact PETA?

If your local police department is unresponsive, call PETA immediately—day or night—at 757-622-7382, option 2. Or you may contact PETA by filling out our Report Cruelty to Animals form.

How do I report animal abuse anonymously near me?

If you suspect animal cruelty, submit an official tip online or by phone: (800) 540-SPCA(7722).

What animals are subject to neglect?

Animals that are commonly subject to neglect include dogs, cats, birds, lizards, and smaller mammals such as hamsters and mice. However, larger farm animals can also be victims of neglect, as the cost and upkeep can be too high for most people to afford.

What animals are considered neglected animals?

Animals that are commonly subject to neglect include dogs, cats, birds, lizards, and smaller mammals such as hamsters and mice.

What are the Consequences of Animal Neglect?

This means that it can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony charge, depending on the severity of the case. If tried as a misdemeanor, the defendant may face up to a year in jail and some criminal fines. If tried as a felony, the person may face over a year in a state prison facility (often up to five years), and heavier criminal fines.

What is animal cruelty?

For example, animal cruelty is the inhumane treatment of an animal whether it’s a pet or livestock. Animal abuse happens when an animal is physically harmed or neglected on purpose. Including criminal acts such as torture or poisoning. Animal neglect, also called animal abandonment, is a type of animal cruelty.

How long can you go to jail for animal neglect?

If tried as a felony, the person may face over a year in a state prison facility (often up to five years), and heavier criminal fines. Penalties may be compounded if multiple instances or multiple counts of animal neglect are involved in the case.

What are the consequences of neglecting animals?

Additional consequences of animal neglect can include: Having the animal or animals permanently removed from the person’s care; Paying any costs associated with the animal’s housing from the time of the seizure of the animal up until conviction; and/or.

What is chaining a pet?

Chaining a pet for long periods of time; Overworking an animal; and/or. Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle. The type and degree of neglect can depend on many different factors. Thus, each animal neglect case can be different from the next.

How to find an attorney for animal rights?

To find an experienced attorney, your best bet might be a personal referral from someone you know and trust. If that is not an option, contact your local animal shelter to see if they know of an attorney who handles animal law cases.

What is the Animal Legal Defense Fund?

Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been the leader in the fight to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your generous support is vital to our continued success.

What is a bar association?

Barring that, you can contact your local bar association. Bar associations are the licensing entities for lawyers.

What happens when someone kills an animal?

When someone kills or injures your animal, the law primarily (although not exclusively) sees this as an injury to “property.”. A lawyer who specializes in personal injuries or injury to property (called “torts” in the law) should be able to handle the case.

Is animal law a specialty?

Animal law is a relatively new, and growing, specialty within the law, and an increasing number of lawyers specialize in cases involving animals. In most cases, however, while it may be advantageous, it is not necessary to find an attorney who specializes in animal law specifically.

Does Animal Legal Defense Fund endorse any organizations?

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers this list for your convenience but does not endorse any of these organizations, and recommends that you research any terms and conditions before submitting any information. This list should not be considered exhaustive.

Can you pay more for an animal case?

However, due to the limited potential for recovery of damages in animal cases, it is possible to pay more for an attorney’s services than you are likely to recover if you win your case, barring an award for punitive or emotional distress damages.

What does an animal law attorney do?

If you feel an error was made by your veterinarian in treating your pet, an animal law attorney can help you determine if the case is actionable (malpractice) or a case of simple negligence (carelessness) that does not constitute malpractice.

Why are animal lawyers important?

Part of the reason for the rapid increase in the number of animal lawyers is due to the rise in status of our companion animals and their importance in our lives. Today’s owners often spend thousands of dollars to provide their dogs or cats with the best health care, training, day care, and grooming. For those owners, attorney’s fees are viewed as just another necessary expense in caring for and protecting their pets.

What is malpractice in veterinary medicine?

As with medical care for people, sometimes things go terribly wrong. Veterinary malpractice is professional negligence, an error that should not be made based on a level of competence expected of a veterinarian as a result of specialized training and experience, which results in injury or death to your dog. If you feel an error was made by your ...

What is a dog lawyer?

A “dog lawyer,” or more accurately, an animal lawyer or animal law attorney, is an attorney who specializes in matters of animal law. Circumstances in which you may need sound legal advice and representation from someone with extensive experience with dog-related cases are not limited to dog bite incidents. Veterinary malpractice cases, custody ...

What are some examples of animal law cases?

Veterinary malpractice cases, custody issues in divorces, and landlord-tenant disputes are just a few examples of when an animal law attorney can help with legal issues pertaining to your dog.

What is a lemon law?

Fewer than 20 states currently have “Lemon Laws” for dogs, allowing buyers to return an unhealthy dog to the seller ( breeder, broker, or pet store) for another dog or a refund. Several of these states require the seller to provide the consumer with written notice of their rights under the law.

How many law schools offer animal law?

In 2000, nine law schools in the U.S. offered courses in animal law. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the number offering animal law courses has now increased to 100 of the 200 law schools approved by the American Bar Association. A decade ago, an attorney specializing in animal law might have raised eyebrows. But high profile legal cases in recent years involving dog fighting rings, tainted pet foods, and pet trusts amounting to millions of dollars, in addition to a greater presence of the animal welfare and animal rights movements in the legal arena, have added credibility and legitimacy to this fast emerging area of law.

What is veterinary malpractice?

Veterinary malpractice refers to situations where a veterinarian fails to meet the reasonable standard of care when providing healthcare to an animal as well as causing a preventable injury. Veterinary malpractice law tends to be similar to the law in medical malpractice cases.

What are the Defenses to a Claim of Veterinary Malpractice?

Veterinarians can use certain defenses in response to a malpractice claim such as:

What are some examples of negligence?

Some examples of simple negligence are: Letting the animal escape through a door which was carelessly left open. Both veterinarians and their employees can be held liable for negligence. It is also possible that a veterinarian or a hospital can be held liable for malpractice because of the actions of their employees.

Why do veterinarians fall below the standard of care?

A veterinarian can fall below the expected standard of care for different reasons such as incompetence, a mistake in judgment or a different kind of carelessness. However, to prevail in a malpractice lawsuit, ...

Why did my dog die from a veterinarian?

The veterinarian failed to meet the professional standards of care; The pet was killed, injured or became sicker because of the veterinarian’s incompetence, mistake in judgment or carelessness; and. Because of the injury, the pet owner experienced some kind of harm such as economic loss or emotional distress.

Can a veterinarian be held liable for malpractice?

Both veterinarians and their employees can be held liable for negligence. It is also possible that a veterinarian or a hospital can be held liable for malpractice because of the actions of their employees.

Is a mistake made by a vet a malpractice?

There is a difference between malpractice and simple negligence and a mistake made by a vet is not always based on malpractice. Malpractice is based on the level of a vet’s professional competence or judgment and it can include actions such as: Stopping the treatment prematurely.

Who represents clients in personal injury, car accidents, litigation, breach of contract, insurance coverage, and judgment collections cases?

Alan represents clients in personal injury, car accidents, litigation, breach of contract, insurance coverage, and judgment collections cases, and defends individuals and businesses in breach of contract and business disputes.

Who is Justin Katz?

Justin Katz is a Member in the Personal Injury Practice Group. He is admitted to practice in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Justin has spent his entire career handling a wide array of complex personal injury matters, including motor vehicle collisions and automobile negligence claims, bus and trucking accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, swimming pool and drowning accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, animal attacks and dog bites, workers’ compensation claims and first-and third-party bad faith claims.