UGA Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter

Victory in Texas: Dog Owners Can Recover Sentimental-Value Damages for Loss of Pet

Jennifer — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:46:54 +0000

A court in Texas has ruled that a dog owner can recover for the sentimental value damages after the owner’s dog, Atlas, was accidentally euthanized at an area animal shelter. For those who are unaware, this is a HUGE step forward in animal law because traditionally, animals are deemed by the courts to be only only worth their market value. Thus, if you want to bring a civil suit against someone for the negligent killing of your beloved pet, the court will award you (if anything) the market value of a domestic short hair cat or a shepherd mix. Needless to say, that is almost nothing. We at SALDF hope that this is one step towards courts everywhere recognizing that animals are not the same as toasters or lamps or staplers.

See an article on this amazing precedent here: http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp?id=1202532161460

SALDF Bake Sale Results

Jennifer — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:50:29 +0000

Last Saturday, the UGA SALDF chapter had their annual homecoming bake sale on UGA’s historic North Campus. This year, we decided to donate the proceeds of our fundraiser to Ahimsa House, a fantastic organization dedicated to getting both the animal and human victims of domestic violence to safety. Although the information is becoming more prevalent, many people are still unaware of the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. According to Ahimsa House’s website:

Domestic violence can occur anywhere; it crosses all races, all cultures and all socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2004, Georgia had 107 confirmed homicides resulting from domestic violence. Georgia ranks 10th in the nation for its rate of men killing women.

Most U.S. households have pets, and pets are often considered part of the family. Recognizing the bonds between victims and their pets, many batterers threaten, harm, and even kill pets in the home in order to control, intimidate, and retaliate against their victims.

Up to 71% of victims entering domestic violence shelters report that their abusers threatened, injured, or killed the family pets. Research indicates that pet abuse may be a red flag for increased severity of domestic violence and more controlling behavior by the abuser.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, fewer than 1 in 8 domestic violence shelters is able to accommodate victims’ pets.

Abusers often threaten to harm pets if a victim flees. Threats toward a pet have also been used as effective ways to silence children from reporting sexual abuse.

As many as half of all victims of domestic violence entering shelters report that they delayed seeking safety from an abusive situation because of concerns about what would happen to their pets.

Victims who leave pets behind have been known to leave domestic violence shelters and return to the residence in order to attempt to reclaim or care for the pets.

In addition to these safety risks to both humans and animals, witnessing pet abuse is traumatic to both children and adults. In a violent situation, a loving bond with a pet may serve as a vital source of support. Being forced to leave pets behind when fleeing abuse, especially with the knowledge that they may face further harm from the abuser, serves as an additional stressor at what is already a time of crisis.

Children who witness pet abuse may go on to engage in animal cruelty themselves. Animal cruelty in childhood is a risk factor for interpersonal violence.

Because of these factors, and the fact that Ahimsa House is the only organization in Georgia to perform such a service, we felt that the proceeds of our bake sale should go to helping Ahimsa House. With the help of the UGA alumni who purchased our goodies, we raised $189! Many thanks to everyone who donated their time, money, and baked goods. A special shout out to Cecilia Villaveces Cakes, which donated a whole delicious cake for us to sell! Events like this go to show that you don’t have to have expansive resources to make a huge difference in an animal’s life.

ALDF Files Suit & Is Joined by Consumer Advocacy Groups

Jennifer — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:15:14 +0000

Animal Legal Defense Fund recently filed a suit against the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Department of Agriculture, charging them with failing to enforce state health and safety laws governing the operation of Texas egg factories. ALDF was joined by two consumer advocacy groups: Public Justice and the Center for Food Safety.

Conditions at the Cal-Maine facilities, which are the nation’s largest egg-producing facilities, are alleged to be so bad that they dramatically increase the likelihood that eggs will be infected with Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause serious illness or even death. The Cal-Maine facility was packed full of live birds in various stages of illness and disease, covered in feces, and caged alongside dead, decaying corpses.

For more information on the law suit, check out this link: www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1828

Animals Skinned Alive in China for Fashion

Jennifer — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:19:44 +0000

Investigators from the Humane Society International have recently blown the lid off an incredible display of animal abuse. In China, they discovered instances of Raccoon Dogs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_dog) being skinned alive so that their fur may be used to make boots for Australian Ugg boots. Investigators report animals still moving after having their skin removed. You can help stop this horrific practice by sponsoring international humane organizations that do these types of investigations. You can also make a difference by refusing to purchase goods made from fur, since corruption extends to all areas of the fur trade, not just in China.

For more information, check out the article here:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/australian-fur-trade-using-cruel-raccoon-dog-from-china-in-clothes-and-ugg-boots/story-e6frf7lf-1226157538815?sv=4415c4d3a1e2b5ca834a3fec419b493b

New School Year – New SALDF!

Jennifer — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:21:19 +0000

Wow, long time no blog! Hope everybody had a great summer! UGA Law is officially back in session, and that means a whole new year in which the UGA chapter of SALDF plans to have events, speakers, and fundraisers to benefit the animal welfare community. What’s in the works, you ask? Well, here are a few plans:

Bake sale

Group visit to a farm animal sanctuary

Compilation of resources for those seeking animal law related jobs

Speakers on campus to discuss factory farming

Vegan cookies!

And so much more!

As you can see, it’s going to be a busy year. But we’re excited! We are also excited to be meeting all of the new 1Ls next Wednesday at the law school’s club fair. Hopefully we will get several excited new members!

So that’s what is going on with us. We look forward to a great year serving animals (and we also promise to blog more!).

Breed Specific Legislation in College Park, GA!

Jennifer — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:47:30 +0000

Just received this as a forward…please consider sending a (polite) message to the proper authorities!

The following letter was recently sent to College Park, GA residents in their water bills. There was no notice that such an ordinance was being discussed much less passed. It is crucial that citizens of the city of College Park, GA express their condemnation of the ordinance, especially dog owners!

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK
P. 0. BOX 87137 COLLEGE PARK. GA 30337 – 404/767-1537
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 21, 201 1
TO: City Residents
FROM: The Department of Public Works

SUBJECT: Certificate of Registration for Potentially Dangerous DogBeginning July 1, 2011 the City of College Park will commence enforcing its Potentially Dangerous Dog Ordinance. Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must register their dogs with the City Clerk’s Office. City Ordinance Section 4-25(a) states as follows: The owner of a dangerous dog or a potentially dangerous dog must secure a certificate of registration in accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. j 4-8-25, and obtain from the City, and place upon the dog a special identification tag.

Residents can obtain a registration form from the City Clerk’s Office located at City Hall, 3667 Main Street, or download the form at the City’s website, http://www.collegeparkga.com/. Registration forms can be submitted in person or by mail to the City Clerk’s Office. A processing fee of $25.00 (cash or check) and a photo(s) of your dog must accompany the registration form upon submittal.

Once registration forms have been processed a certificate of registration and identification tag will be mailed to you. The identification tag must be worn by your dog at all times.

Listed below are the breeds of dogs required to be registered:

Pit Bull
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Rottweiler
Doberman
German Shepherd

For additional information please contact the City Clerks Office at (404) 669-3754, or the Department of Public Works (404) 669-3778.

Also, a Special Called Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of College Park will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at College Park City Hall in the City Council Chambers located at 3667 Main Street in College Park, Georgia for the following purposes:

1. To discuss FY 2011-2012 Budget and Adoption of Budget

2. Other Issues

Not sure if those “other issues” mean they will discuss this ordinance, but it wouldn’t hurt for well mannered and well spoken pit bull, rottweiler, doberman and German Shepard owners to show up and express their opinions on this ordinance. I’ll be there, because this is too close to home for my comfort.

If you cannot attend the meeting please write your POLITE letters to the following email addresses:

Mayor: Jack P. Longino jlongino@collegeparkga.com

Councilman: Ambrose Clay, Ward I claya1@mindspring.com

Councilman: Joe Carn, Ward II jcarn@collegeparkga.com

Councilman: Tracey Wyatt, Ward III twyatt@collegeparkga.com

Councilman: Charles E. Phillips, Sr., Esquire, Ward IV cphillips@collegeparkga.com

Even if you are not a citizen of College Park, you can write a letter explaining why Breed-Specific Legislation is misguided and ineffective. Here are some resources to help you write your response:http://www.atlantapitbullparents.com/pages/statements.html

http://www.pbrc.net/breedspecific.html

http://network.bestfriends.org/initiatives/pitbulls/default.aspx

Thank you!

Ami Ciontos
Atlanta Underdog Initiative

www.atlantaunderdog.com

Awesome Animal Law Resource

Jennifer — Mon, 30 May 2011 00:58:42 +0000

Animal Legal Defense Fund has compiled all the animal protection laws in the United States and Canada into one handy resource. What a great place to start if you’re having trouble finding certain animal protection laws in your jurisdiction! Check it out: http://aldf.org/article.php?id=259

What Can I Do??

Jennifer — Sun, 29 May 2011 17:51:39 +0000

What can law students do to support animals and the development of animal law? The obvious answer is to become an attorney who practices animal law, but (realistically) we know that not all people are called into that area of law. No matter what area of law you desire to practice, however, you can still be an animal advocate as a law student (and an attorney) without solely practicing animal law! Here is a sampling of what you can do:

* Join Animal Legal Defense Fund. Your donations will go towards legal advocacy for animals, and you will gain a wealth of knowledge on the state of animal law in the USA!

* Educate people on animal law and its importance, not only for animals, but for humans (link to domestic violence, murder, abuse, etc.).

* Adopt! And encourage your friends and family to adopt (don’t forget to spay/neuter!).

* Fundraise! All animal rescue groups need funding and a simple bake sale can make the difference between life and death since groups can’t pull animals they can’t afford!

* Get involved in Meatless Mondays. While a vegetarian lifestyle keeps money away from cruel slaughterhouses, anything you can do to decrease your consumption of meat/milk/cheese helps!

* Write animal law articles and submit them to legal publications.

* Volunteer at your local shelter.

Anybody have any other ideas? Leave your ideas in the comments, then get busy! For the animals!

Pet of the Week: Sadie!!

Jennifer — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:51:52 +0000

Sadie!

Sadie is a sweet girl with fun ears and an energetic spirit! She is currently living in metro-Atlanta and is absolutely loving taking long walks after a life of neglect. Sadie is fostered by Society of Humane Friends of Georgia.

For more information on Sadie (and to submit an adoption application!) please visit: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19051812

Pet of the Week: Hannah!

Jennifer — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:48:44 +0000

Hannah

Hannah is a very friendly girl who is ready to be your loving companion. She is ready for attention and enjoys being petted and played with. Although technically not a kitten, she is still very playful and will chase down toys with all her younger buddies. She would probably do best in a home where she is the only cat or where she would have only one or two feline “siblings”. She enjoys being the center of attention.

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/13223401

Also, check out Gwinnett Humane Society’s new adoption center at the Avenue Webb Gin on hwy 124 in Snellville!