2008-09 GW Animal Law Scholarships Awarded:

Samantha Scholarship in Animal Law awarded to 3L Erica Oleszczuk

HoJo Scholarship in Animal Law awarded to 3L Bradley Scott Friedman

Washington Humane Society Mobile Adoption Center at GW Law School:  Coming Fall 2009

Meet dogs and cats for adoption in need of a loving home.

Prosecuting Animal Cruelty and Fighting Cases:  September 24-25, 2009

For more information please click here.

No Kill Conference 2009—Tremendous Success!

The first national No Kill Conference, co-sponsored by the George Washington University (GWU) Animal Law Program and the No Kill Advocacy Center, brought together leaders in the animal sheltering and legal fields who are promoting no kill strategies to save the lives of millions of companion animals from death in our shelters.  Some 380 individuals, representing 38 states and 6 countries, descended on the GWU campus in Washington DC, on May 2-3, 2009 to attend this ground-breaking event. The presenters discussed no-kill strategies designed to prevent animal surrenders, implement cost-effective behavior and medical rehabilitation programs, establish positive relationships with government and private groups and veterinarians, create feral cat Trap-Neuter-Return/Release programs, increase animal adoptions, improve public relations, reform animal control, and utilize legislative and litigative options to help secure these strategies. 

First Annual DC Week for the Animals Law Night—A hit!

The first annual DC Week for the Animals Law Night, co-sponsored by the GWU Animal Law Program and Animal World USA was a hit.  The panel brought together experts in animal law to discuss hot topics in animal law locally, nationally and internationally.  Scott Giacoppo, CPO of Washington Humane Society, discuss animal cruelty, the laws and enforcement in DC followed by Eric Glitzenstein, partner Meyer, Glitzenstein and Crystal who described the highly publicized and ground-breaking case he is litigartin against Ringling Brothers challenging their treatment of elephants.  Next, Russ Mead, Executive Director & General Counsel of Farm Sanctuary recounted the current legal protections for farm animals, noting the recent movement in some states to ban gestation crates and battery cages.  Nancy Perry, Vice President of Government Affairs for The Humane Society of the United States presented an update on the status of new federal and state laws designed to promote animal welfare.  Attorney Raj Panjwani, India’s highly honored and leading animal advocate, discussed Bovines in India and Indian Supreme Court case protecting them. The panel was closed by Lisa La Fontaine, President & CEO of Washington Humane Society, who presented the plans for a bright future for DC companion animals.

It was an inspiring evening.

Publication of Animal Law Books and Articles by Professor Joan Schaffner

Two new groundbreaking books on animal law have been recently published by the American Bar Association under the auspices of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section’s Animal Law Committee (the Committee).  

Professor Joan Schaffner is co-editor and contributing author of Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers (press release) and is the sole editor and contributing author of A Lawyer’s Guide to Dangerous Dog Issues (press release).

Professor Schaffner is Publications Vice-Chair and Newsletter Vice-Chair of the Committee and will take over as Chair of the Committee at the ABA annual meeting in Chicago in August 2009.

Professor Joan Schaffner also recently published an article in the ALC Newletter.  Please click here to read this article.