MASSACHUSETTSSCHOOL OF LAW at ANDOVER

SYLLABUS for Animal Law – Spring 2010

Professor Diane M. Sullivan and Professor Holly Vietzke

Instructor:Professor Sullivan and Professor Vietzke
Email:;
Professor Sullivan - Phone: 978.681.0800 ext.120

Professor Vietzke - Phone: 978.681.0800 ext.139

Text:Animal Law Cases and Materials(Third Edition) - Waisman/Frasch/Wagman/

Class Times:Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.– 12:15 p.m., or7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

PurposeAnimal law is a broad and rapidly expanding field and is an integral part of

& Course social policy and the law. The course provides diverse examples of cases and

Description: circumstances in which the unique aspects of animals and law converge and should stimulate thought about recurrent animal law themes.

GradingStanding Paper: Worth 10 points

Criteria:Book Review: Worth 10 points

Project: Worth 30 points – Animal Law Symposium, Saturday, April 3, 2010.

Final: Worth 50 points

ASSIGNMENTS DUE FOR EACH CLASS

TopicsPage Numbers

Class 1What is an Animal? Defining “Animal”03-20

01/19

Class 2“Domestic” And “Wild” Animals20-37

01/21

Class 3Property and Beyond: The Evolution of Rights - 39-69

1/26Slaves, Women, Children, Mental Incompetents,

Potential Humans, Nonhumans

Class 4 Torts: Emotional Distress and Loss of Companionship;71-95

01/28Punitive Damages in Non-Veterinary Cases

Class 5 Other Jurisdictions; Bailment95-139

02/02

Class 6Veterinary Malpractice; Alternative Causes of139-160

02/04Action

Class 7Strict Liability and Negligence – Injuries Caused by161-181

02/09Animals

Class 8Constitutional Law: Legal Standing, Justiciability183-200

02/11and Other Limiting Doctrines

Class 9Constitutional Law: Legal Standing, Justiciability201-227

02/16and Other Limiting Doctrines

Class 10Constitutional Law: Legal Standing, Justiciability227-271

02/18and Other Limiting Doctrines

Class 11First Amendment272-284

02/23

Class 12 Freedom of Speech – Hunter Harassment Statutes284-296

02/25

Class 13 Due Process – Challenges and Claims296-306

03/02

Class 14Commercial Uses of Animals: Animals Raised and307-340

03/04Slaughtered For Food

Class 15Commercial Uses of Animals(cont.): 340-359

03/09

Class 16Commercial Uses of Animals(cont.): Humane 359-374

03/11Slaughter Acts

* SRRING BREAK – MARCH 14, 2010 – MARCH 21, 2010 *

Class 17Educational Forum-Animal Rights

03/23Paper due on Standing – worth 10 points.

  1. Who has standing?
  2. Should animals have standing?

Class 18TheAnimal Welfare Act and Animals in Research374-416

03/25

Class 19Other Commercial Uses of Animals416-445

03/30

Class 20 Television and Film445-456

04/01

04/03Animal Law Symposium

Class 21Commercial Breeding and Sale of Dogs456-468

04/06

Class 22Criminal Law: HistoricalPerspective; Overview469-500

04/08of State Anti-Cruelty Statutes; Affirmative Acts of

Cruelty; Failure to Act

Educational Forum: The Return of the Wolf

Class 23Criminal Law (cont.); Animal Fighting; State501-540

04/13Sanctioned Activities; Cross-Protecting: The Link

Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence

Class 24Contracts: Landlord/Tenant Disputes and Other541-585

04/15Housing Issues; Condominium Law; Marital Dissolution:

Custody Disputes; The Sale of “Goods” And “Products”;

Insurance

Class 25Wills and Trusts: Validity of Will Provisions587-618

04/20Providing for the Destruction of Companion

Animals Upon Testator’s Death; Validity of Will

Provisions Providing for the Care of Companion

Animals Upon Testator’s Death: Historical Perspective;

Companion Animal Trusts Under Modern Statutes

Class 26Selected Federal Statutes; Endangered Species Act;619-643

04/22

Class 27Selected Federal Statues (cont.):Marine Mammal643-693

04/27Protection Act; Wild Horses And Burros Act; Animal

Damage Control Act; National Wildlife Refuge System

Administration Act (“NWRSA”); Refuge Recreation Act;

National Environmental Policy Act

Class 28Book Review Due – worth 10 points.

04/29

Additional

View segments from last year’s:

  • Animal law symposium; and
  • Watch and discuss various animal law programs including MSL programs and previous guest speakers in animal law classes.

Final Examination – Date To Be Announced - Worth 50 Points.