Professor Diane M. Sullivan and Professor Holly Vietzke
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.
- Who has standing?
- 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.