ANIMAL LAW
Animal law is a relatively new area of law that is gaining acceptance among attorneys and the courts. Animal law includes service animals for the disabled, veterinary malpractice, and civil remedies for dog bites, and the establishment of lifetime or testamentary pet trusts....
With more than 70,000,000 American households owning at least one pet or service animal, animal law is becoming a niche practice among attorneys. As more people introduce animals to be part of their family, we can expect to see new laws and cases over time. Currently, there are a number of state and federal laws that protect you and your pets. If you own a pet or a service animal, it is important to be aware of your rights.
Service animals and guide animals are trained to assist the handicapped. Service/guide animals are protected under New Jersey law and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Landlords, public transportation, businesses, and organizations must permit the disabled and their service/guide animals to wherever tenants
and consumers are permitted. We will be pleased to work with
you if you or your
service dog has experienced discrimination. Matthew Stoloff, Esq. has written extensively about service animals on his blog and regularly keeps up to date on the latest service animal cases across the country. To learn
more about how
state and federal courts have protected service animals, we encourage
you to read this Legal
Briefing from an Illinois advocacy group.
Police shooting domestic pets can and does occur. Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that a pet owner whose dog was shot and killed by the police may sue the city and the police officers. In this case, the Court held that the police did not have qualified immunity and that the unnecessary shooting of a dog violates the Fourth Amendment of the United States Consitution. Although this decision is not binding on the courts of New Jersey, it is nonetheless persuasive. A similar fact pattern has yet to be tested in New Jersey.
If you would like to discuss any legal matter relating to your pet or service/guide animal, please contact us.
