Animal studies have and will continue to serve an essential role in medical development and public and animal health. This stays true for the current global efforts to find treatments and vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Animal studies are not only critical for understanding pathogenesis of COVID-19, but also
Animal Law
How Covid-19 Has Gotten More Animal Owners To Consider Creating Pet Trusts
The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has sparked an interest in people all over the world to make sure their affairs are in order in case of sudden death or incapacitation. Many pet owners consider their pets as part of their families, so it naturally follows that they would also want to ensure…
Telemedicine for Veterinary Practices during COVID-19
As the spread of COVID-19 continues to increase rapidly across the globe, there are still many uncertainties between the relationship of animals and the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is only aware of a small number of animals infected with the virus after close contact with infected people. While human to…
Regulatory Standards for Pet Grooming Products
Last month, I listened to a podcast interviewing the owner of Straight Arrow, the parent company that produces Mane and Tail and Cowboy Magic products. As a lifelong horse owner (including several grey horses that love mud), I cannot remember a time when I did not have a Mane and Tail and/or Cowboy Magic product…
Think First Before You Raffle Off That Animal
A disturbing new trend has been developing on Facebook: raffling off animals. For example, a well-bred registered Quarter Horse yearling was recently offered for sale through a raffle on a local North Carolina equestrian page. The seller offered 100 spots, each selling for $40. Bidders paid the seller directly through PayPal for a slot, and…
Federal Court Upholds Disqualification of Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Part 2
As mentioned in Part 1 of this blog, a district court in Kentucky recently dismissed the appeal brought by Maximum Security’s owners to overturn his first place disqualification in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Part I of this blog explained the court’s dismissal of the Wests’ state law claims.
The court also dismissed Plaintiffs’ due…
Federal Court Upholds Disqualification of Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Part 1
Maximum Security’s owners cannot challenge the Kentucky racing officials’ disqualification of Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby, according to a recent federal court decision. West v. Kentucky Horse Racing Comm., No. 5:19-211, 2019 WL 6053014 (E.D. Ky. Nov. 15, 2019). As you may remember, Maximum Security finished first in the Kentucky Derby earlier this…
Words Matter-Chimpanzees are not “Clients”
You have probably heard of the decision by the First Judicial Department’s Appellate’s Division upholding the lower courts’ decision not to sign orders to show cause seeking the transfer of chimpanzees from one form of captivity to another, under the rejected narrative that writs of habeas corpus should be applied to the chimps because…
Announcement from USDA-Deactivation of the Animal Care Search Tool
In a stunning turn of events, USDA has deactivated it’s Animal Care Search Tool, as indicated on its website:

USDA inspection reports of licensees pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, among other data, were previously available on this search engine.
The following alert is provided when clicking…
Fox Rothschild LLP announces new Animal Law Practice Group
Fox Rothschild’s has launched an Animal Law practice, led by attorney and licensed veterinarian Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M., and made up of lawyers experienced in defending the rights of businesses and people to own and use animals humanely. This multi-disciplinary practice is a one-stop shop for animal-related business, providing the full range of corporate…