The replacement of the term “owner” with “guardian” has been proposed by animal activists for many years, but rejected by many veterinary associations concerned about the unintended consequences of such
Continue Reading Whether animal owner or guardian, what is considered “adequate veterinary care” for your pet
Animal Cruelty Statute
Requirements to Report Animal Cruelty
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Legislators in New York (Asw. Linda Rosenthal) and Maryland (Del. Tony McConkey) have recently introduced bills that would require veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to government officials. If these…
More New Jersey Animal Cruelty Bills Introduced by Senator Van Drew
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Senator Van Drew is nothing, if not persistent.
He has recently entered the following bills into the legislative hopper known as New Jersey’s 217th Legislative session. The bills include…
Continue Reading More New Jersey Animal Cruelty Bills Introduced by Senator Van Drew
Rhode Island joins the list of states proposing animal abuse registries
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Rhode Island joins a growing number of states and local jurisdictions with proposed Animal Abuse Registries.
In this case, H7414, would establish an “Animal abuser registry” defined as “the…
Continue Reading Rhode Island joins the list of states proposing animal abuse registries
Home rule may soon extinguish the role of state and county SPCA’s
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Senate Bill S2069, sponsored by Senators Linda Greenstein and Nicholas Sacco is a game changer for state and county SPCAs if enacted. It would place animal cruelty enforcement squarely in…
Continue Reading Home rule may soon extinguish the role of state and county SPCA’s
If your pet is obese are you guilty of animal cruelty?
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
For some time, people who have neglected their pets have been subject to animal cruelty violations. Extreme cases of neglect are most likely to make it into the news cycles,…
Continue Reading If your pet is obese are you guilty of animal cruelty?
More on the Enforcement of Animal Cruelty Statutes
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Three fairly recent incidents in Massachusetts, Oregon, and New Jersey reveal different approaches to the enforcement of these states’ animal cruelty statutes.
In April, 2014 the Massachusetts Supreme Court, in…
Continue Reading More on the Enforcement of Animal Cruelty Statutes
New Jersey State and Local Police Should Take Over Enforcement of the Animal Cruelty Statute
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Following the lead from New York City, the enforcement of New Jersey’s Animal Cruelty Statute should be placed squarely under the authority of state and local police, with animal control…
Continue Reading New Jersey State and Local Police Should Take Over Enforcement of the Animal Cruelty Statute
Coming Soon: Certification Required To Work With Animals In New Jersey
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Legislators plan to re-introduce Moose’s Law in New Jersey’s new legislative session, despite Governor Christie’s pocket veto of the bill. The law would prohibit anyone from working with animals in…
Continue Reading Coming Soon: Certification Required To Work With Animals In New Jersey
Warning: NJ Animal Caretakers may be Accused of Animal Cruelty
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The New Jersey Animal Cruelty Statute (the “Statute”) has once again been amended. The amendments, designated as “Patrick’s Law,” were introduced largely in response to the gross mistreatment of Patrick,…
Continue Reading Warning: NJ Animal Caretakers may be Accused of Animal Cruelty