Companion Animal Law

NOTE: This course is available in-person for JD/LLM/MSL students, or as an Online Section designed for LLM and MSL Distance Students only. Each section has its own course description. Check the current catalog or WebAdvisor to see which section is offered in any given year. See the note* below about eligibility for the Online Section for JDs, MSLs, and residential LLMs and MSLs.

Companion Animal Law - Associate Dean & Professor Pamela Frasch

• Course Number: LAW-446 In-Person Section ONLY
• Course Type: Foundational
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar

• Description: This course provides an intensive examination of contemporary companion animal law and policy issues in the judicial and legislative arenas. The U.S. has witnessed a surge in the population of companion animals over the past thirty years, and this course introduces students to multiple evolving issues, such as breed specific legislation; pet trusts; animal experimentation; working, police, and military dogs; anti-cruelty laws; emotional and other support animals; veterinary malpractice, and more. In doing so, this course explores the challenges and opportunities available to advocates interested in companion animal issues.

• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: Two short papers; two class presentations; class participation
• Capstone: no
• WIE: yes

 

Companion Animal Law - Professor Megan Senatori

• Course Number: LAW-446 LLM and MSL Distance Students Only *
• Course Type: Foundational
• Credits: 3
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar

• Description: This course provides an intensive examination of contemporary companion animal law and policy issues in the judicial and legislative arenas. The United States has witnessed a surge in the population of companion animals over the past thirty years and the vast majority of Americans now regard companion animals as members of the human family. Yet, in all fifty states, the law categorizes companion animals (like all animals) as property. Moreover, the law’s treatment of companion animals tends to vary based upon the context in which humans interact with them, whether as family members, as entertainment, as research subjects, and more. This course introduces students to the diverse legal and policy issues that affect companion animals. Among the topics students will examine include: anti-cruelty laws; the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence/intimate partner violence; tort laws relating to injury or death of a companion animal caused by private individuals or government actors, including the measure of damages; breed specific legislation; service and assistance animals; custody disputes; animal testing and experimentation; and more. In doing so, this course explores the challenges and opportunities available to advocates interested in companion animal protection.

• Prerequisite: none
• Evaluation Method: TBD
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no

Notes for LC JDs, MSLs, and residential LLMs and MSLs:

*This class is for online LLM and MSL students. In-person students may petition the Associate Dean of Students, Libby Davis, and Global Animal Law and Advanced Degree Programs Director, Raj Reddy, to take the online version if they have a compelling reason for doing so: eadavis@lclark.edu and rajreddy@lclark.edu

Those students should consult the distance learning policy prior to signing up for distance learning courses.