Animal law is a combination of statutory and case law in which the nature – legal, social or biological – of nonhuman animals is an important factor. Animal law encompasses companion animals, wildlife and animals raised for food and research.
Animal law is being taught at some of the most reputable and respected law schools in the country. This list is comprised of highly ranked schools such as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Northwestern, University of Michigan and Duke.
A growing number of student animal law groups are rapidly appearing across the country and around the world. At last count, there were more than 168 student animal law chapters.
Animal law permeates and affects most traditional areas of the law – including tort, contract, criminal and constitutional law. Examples of this intersection include:
- Animal custody disputes in divorce or separations.
- Veterinary malpractice cases.
- Housing disputes involving “no pets” policies and discrimination laws.
- Damages cases involving the wrongful death or injury to a companion animal.
- Enforceable trusts for companion animals under new UTC provisions being adopted by states across the country.
- Criminal law encompassing domestic violence and anti-cruelty laws.
