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March 2010 Law Symposium Announced
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at McGill University will be holding an animal law exhibit and symposium March 8-10, 2010 at the McGill Faculty of Law, 3644 Peel Street, Montreal, Canada.
The talks will explore the current state of animal welfare law in Canada and abroad. All talks are open to the public. For more information see their website at: www.saldf.ca.
Experts from three different countries will be speaking:
David Wolfson teaches animal law at Columbia Law School and NYU Law School. He has written extensively on animal law issues and has represented several prominent animal protection organizations, such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States. Mr. Wolfson will be discussing the state of farm animal welfare law in North America.
Dr. Antoine Goetschel is the world’s first and only public animal welfare attorney. He represents the interests of animals in criminal cases as a public official in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland. Specializing in the field of human-animal relationships in the law since 1984, he has played a crucial role in the development of animal welfare legislation in Switzerland, as well as in Switzerland’s constitutional amendment to include protection for animals. Dr. Goetschel will be speaking on the recent developments in animal welfare legislation in Europe and Switzerland.
Alanna Devine is a graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law and the founder of the McGill chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF). She is currently the Director of Animal Welfare at the Montreal branch of the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) and has been particularly active in the fight against Quebec’s infamous puppy mills. Ms. Devine also serves on a provincial government committee that is considering amendments to Quebec’s animal welfare legislation. She will be discussing the state of companion animal law in Canada and Quebec.
The McGill Student Animal Legal Defense Fund is devoted to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at enhancing the welfare and legal status of nonhuman animals. Their projects include hosting speakers and debates on current issues affecting animals, conducting educational events, and assisting lawyers and organizations in promoting positive change through litigation.
Concerned Citizens Join Toronto Humane Society
Recently the Toronto Humane Society and Hospital has been in the news. A series of stories in the Globe and Mail have brought to light concerns about management practices. According to the Globe and Mail, in response to the concerns, officers from the Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) arrested the president, chief veterinarian and three senior managers, charging them with animal cruelty. According to the Toronto Star, in reponse to the charges the President intends to resign. The investigation into allegations of mismanagement at the shelter are ongoing. A group called the Association for the Reform of the Toronto Humane Society (ART) is campaigning for reform at the charity.
Some individuals seek to increase their involvement at the Toronto Humane Society in order to ensure that the animals at the shelter are well taken care of and that the organization fulfils its mandate "to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering."
One way that some people are choosing to get involved is by joining as members. Members residing or employed within a 60 Kilometer radius of the 11 River Street, Toronto headquarters are permitted to vote at members meetings.
Those who submit a membership form, pay a $30 annual membership fee and are approved as members by the board of directors become members of the organization. Upon acceptance members receive a membership package and card.
A membership form is available as a .pdf HERE.
Members of the organization wishing to call a membership meeting have been submitting the form located HERE.
LAW Announces 2010 Summer Internship Program
January 9, 2010
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is accepting applications for one internship position for the period of May 1 – August 31, 2010.
Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in animal rights issues and activism, be able to work independently and be self-motivated. Preference will be given to candidates located in Toronto, Ontario. The position is unpaid and is for law students or recent law school graduates.
The nature of the position will be based on the interests of the successful candidate and will include legal research, campaign management and preparing grant applications.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and any other relevant supporting documentation to Nick Wright at ‘info@lawyersforanimalwelfare.com’.
Due to the volume of applicants only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is an incorporated Registered Charity dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
LAW Extends Conscientious Objection Campaign to all Ontario Students
December 10, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has extended its conscientious objection program to all students in Ontario who refuse to experiment on animals during the course of their studies and who need assistance asserting their rights.
"Due to the success of our previous conscientious objection program LAW has decided to extend its offer of assistance to all students in Ontario who stand up for animals and the advancement of educational practices by refusing to harm and kill in the course of their studies. All students who need assistance asserting their rights are invited to contact us," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
Previously LAW has assisted veterinary science students assert their Ontario Human Rights Code right to accommodation based on creed. Many students feel pressured to harm animals during the course of their studies contrary to their beliefs out of fear of academic sanction for refusing to participate in animal experimentation.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
Europe Grants Animals Legal Status of Sentient Beings
Source: http://www.vegan.com/blog/2009/12/02/europe-grants-animals-legal-status-of-sentient-beings
(Vegan.com) - December 1st was a big day for animals in the European Union: for the first time, fish and farmed animals alike have gained the legal status of “sentient beings.” This victory promises to shape all future legal measures in Europe related to raising, transporting, and slaughtering animals.
It’s been a long time coming. Back in 1991, a campaign initiated by Compassion in World Farming got sentient being status mentioned in a non-binding treaty declaration. In 1997, sentience was bumped up to a treaty protocol, which carried some legal force. Now, this status has been granted in the main text of the Lisbon Treaty, which carries far more legal power.
I know that the previous paragraph is tediously written—as Bismarck noted, crafting laws is like making sausage, it’s best not to see it happen—but the gains won this year set vital precedent. Here’s how Philip Lymberry, who runs Compassion In World Farming, sums up the victory:
"I remember how our late founder dreamed of changing the EU’s underpinning Treaty to better address the status of animals. I remember how that goal was seen as impossible, impractical, by some, even laughable. Now that dream has come true. Now to make that other dream come true; an end to factory farming itself and its terrible travelling companion, the long distance transport of animals."
I say it all the time: the most important thing to understand about animal rights victories is that they’re all about precedent. This win not only advances the possibilities for animal protection in Europe, it will also give American activists a big push in seeking similar gains in the United States.
LAW Offers Help to Vet Student Conscientious Objectors
June 11, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has offered to assist all veterinary college students in Ontario that conscientiously object to harming, killing or performing unnecessary surgery on dogs or other animals during the course of their studies.
"It is unacceptable that a veterinary student that will not perform unnecessary surgery or harm or kill animals due to deeply held moral beliefs should still in some instances face the threat of academic sanction. LAW extends an offer to help all such students enforce their right to be free from discrimination based on creed," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
While some accomodations have been made for certain programs for veterinary students who conscientously object to harming animals, there are still instances where the threat of academic sanction exists for such students. All veterinary students in Ontario who seek the assistance of LAW are encouraged to contact the organization.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
LAW Receives Registered Charity Status
June 7, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has been registered by the Canada Revenue Agency as a Registered Charity, allowing the organization to issue deductable tax receipts for donations.
"It is an exciting day for LAW, by obtaining Registered Charity status LAW will be able to more effectively work towards its goals of advancing public knowledge of animal practices and ensuring the enforcement of existing animal protection laws," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
Senator Mac Harb’s Bill to End the Seal Hunt
The commercial seal hunt in Canada has been in decline for several decades. Many attempts have been made to ban the hunt but the Federal and some Provincial Governments take the position that it is important to keep the industry alive for the benefit of workers. Governments have taken this position despite its effect on Canada's international reputation and statistics showing that the industry is not financially sustainable and is costly for taxpayers to subsidize and maintain.
Senator Mac Harb has decided to put forth a bill that will amend The Fisheries Act, effectively ending the commercial seal hunt while respecting treaty obligations and protecting the rights of Canada’s aboriginal people. He encourages everyone to share their thoughts on the issue and support the bill.
Some of those in support of the Bill have been signing an online petition at the following link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/877541637?z00m=19752613&s_kwcid=stop%20the%20seal%20hunt|2786725650
Another group working on the issue is The Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition:
http://www.antisealingcoalition.ca
Animal Law Conference Scheduled for May
The International Research Group in Animal Law (GRIDA) has announced that it will be holding its first Animal Law Conference, entitled The Animal Within the Sphere of Human Needs, on May 21 and 22, 2009 in Montreal, Canada at the J.A. DeSève Pavillion (DS) of the Université du Québec à Montréal, located at 320 Sainte-Catherine Street East.
The bilingual event will deal with a wide range of issues related to the legal status and welfare of animals. The purpose of the conference, which is the first of its kind in Canada, is to bring together researchers and students to explore a new understanding of “animal law.”
More details and registration information can be found on GRIDA's website at: www.grida.uqam.ca/en
A number of active members of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) are planning to attend the conference.
LAW Website Launched!
August 10, 2008
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), a newly formed group that campaigns on behalf of animals, has launched its website at 'www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com'.
"It is our belief that a lack of public awareness surrounding animal practices results in needless suffering and death. By forming LAW we seek to advance public knowledge of animal practices and help enforce existing animal protection laws. Together we can make Canada an even more informed and compassionate place," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and voluneers across Canada. It is an incorporated not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com