Identifying Animal Cruelty,
& Careers in Animal Law
CORNELL LAW SCHOOL
Ithaca, New York
April 9th, 2009
Dana M. Campbell
Attorney, Criminal Justice Program
Animal Legal Defense Fund

Dana M. Campbell
Practicing Attorney for 20 Years
Former Deputy District Attorney in Salem, Oregon
and Maui, Hawaii
ALDF Attorney for 10 Years
Adjunct Professor of Animal Law at Cornell Law
School

What the heck is the
Animal Legal Defense Fund?
We are a national, non-profit, 501(c)(3)
corporation formed in 1979 by lawyers and
comprised of lawyers
Our mission is to protect the lives and
advance the interests of animals through
the legal system

Please feel free to ask questions!

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Know the Laws
Identify the Signs
Document What You Know
Report it to Authorities
How Does ALDF Help?

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Know the Laws
--NY Agric. & Mkts. Law S 350--376
cruelty, neglect, abandonment, fighting
--Local rules regarding tethering, no. of
animals/household, etc.
--Sources include ALDF’s Compendium,
NYSBA A.L. Comm. Pamphlet

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Identify the Signs
Physical:
--directly witnessing harm
--open wounds, untreated injury or illness
--extreme emaciation, visible bones
--heavy discharge from eyes, nose
--overgrown nails, dirty, extremely matted fur
--weakness, limping, unable to stand/walk okay

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Identify the Signs
Environmental:
--kept in area littered with feces, garbage,
broken glass etc., other harmful animals
--kept outside in bad weather w/out
access to adequate shelter, or for too long
--in cages too small to stand, turn around,
or w/ too many animals

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Document What You Know
Photos (digital camera best), videos
(from your property or in public places)
Keep a logbook of detailed notes with dates, people
present, activities of concern, observations of
animal’s condition, vets (if any)
Note any prior and current contacts with animal
control, police, humane society by you or by the
suspect (both good and bad)

IDENTIFYING ANIMAL
CRUELTY
Report it to Authorities
Let them investigate
Keep in mind jurisdiction:
--pet shops, breeders = feds, state
--cruelty = police, sheriff, humane agent
--local codes = animal control, cops?
Expertise: ALDF, www.worldanimal.net
Anonymous reports

How Does ALDF Help?
Assist public, H.S.’s with contacts with law
enforcement and prosecutors
Laws, Research, Training
Follow-up when there is no action
Media attention

ANIMAL LAW CAREERS
Animal Organizations
Government Agencies
Teaching AL Classes, Clinics
Private Practice--Full and PT
Pro Bono Opportunities

ANIMAL LAW CAREERS
Animal Welfare Organizations

ALDF v. Woodley . . . Caspar’s new life

ANIMAL LAW CAREERS
Government Agencies

Animal Welfare Act & Other Statutes

ANIMAL LAW CAREERS
Teaching AL Classes & Clinics

104 Animal Law Classes

Animal Law Classes
2002: 9
2004: 35
2005: 60+
2009: 104

132 + 7 Student ALDF Chapters

SALDF Chapter Growth
2002: 12
2004: 41
2005: 57
2006: 77
2009: 139

29 + 1 Animal Law Committees

ANIMAL LAW CAREERS
Private Practice Animal Lawyers

Tort Law

“Three yummies, a pat on the head, and a ‘Good doggy.’
That’s my client’s final offer.”

Criminal Law

Contract Law

Contract Law

Wills & Trusts

Family Law

Pro Bono Work
Let firm know of your interest early on
Provide information about the field and list some
potential projects
Name other firms doing pro bono a/l work
Opportunities to set precedent & make law

Volunteer Opportunities
Join ALDF’s Animal Law Program
Volunteer for other groups: HSUS, PCRM,
etc.
Local animal rights group or humane society
Join or start an independent animal law
group
Write articles
Student mentorship
Bar sections/committees

“Ridicule, Discussion, and Adoption”