Animal Law
Animal Law is a relatively new area of law. Although animal law isn’t specific to any species of animal and often relates to laws advancing the treatment of animals, many animal laws focus on animals used as pets. According to a 2009 survey, more than 62% of households in the United States own at least one pet, which equates to 71.4 million homes. There is an increasingly number of people that consider pets to be friends or family members. As this perception increases, there are inevitably legal issues that accompany it. As it relates to pets, animal law can include:
- Lemon laws to protect consumers that purchase a pet that is sick
- Custody issues involving pets in divorce or separation cases
- Veterinary malpractice
- Landlord/tenant and housing dispute issues as they relate to pets
- Pet trusts and including pets in wills
- Defending dangerous dog designations and other citations received from Animal Services.
- Formation and representation of non-profits and charities for the purpose of animal rescue or advancing the treatment of animals
- Formation and representation of businesses such as pet grooming, pet sitting, veterinary clinics and other businesses that relate to animals.
- Contract law, including drafting contracts for pet adoptions, waiver of liability contracts and any other contracts relating to animals.
- Tort law as it relates to wrongful death of a pet by another animal, another person, a groomer, veterinarian or law enforcement.
Animals are considered property in Florida and do not have any rights. It is therefore necessary for their human companions to care for them.
For more information, please visit my Animal Law Blog
Please contact the Tampa law office of Mindi Lasley, P.A. for more information regarding animal law.