Animal Law

Massachusetts is looking to become the ninth state to standardize a framework for judges to use in determining care and custody of companion animals during divorce.

Pets are property. As much as owners, individually, give their animals value akin to children or siblings, the legal system still considers them property. Yet, pets are continually recognized

by Jesse Stavis

On February 6, 2025, Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. of the District of Maine issued an eighty-five-page opinion denying a motion to dismiss filed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation (“Monterey Bay”) in a case concerning allegedly defamatory comments about the environmental impact of Maine’s lobster industry. At issue in Bean Maine

By Michelle C. Pardo

On February 3, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report of an audit that OIG had performed of the Animal Care Program Oversight of Dog Breeder Inspections.  Audit Report 33601-0001-22 (Audit Report)

OIG’s objective?  To determine: (1) whether selected dog breeders

“Julie Fershtman is considered by many to be the nation’s leading expert on equine activity liability acts. Her 30-minute presentation for a recent educational webinar on equine activity liability acts for the American Horse Council is available for viewing. Please take a look, here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCROISSPMJs
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Wins Fourth National Award

by Michelle C. Pardo

Southern Californians have been reeling from the devastation caused by the recent record-breaking wildfires and now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.  As is the case in the wake of many disasters, a need for answers and accountability as to what caused or contributed to the disaster remains paramount.