veterinary-conference-12-july-2013.ppt-coupergeysen.ppt

* * * Animal Law and Animal Owners Presented by Tracy-Lynne Geysen  Australia has one of the highest incidences of pet ownership in the world – 33 million pets live in approximately 8 million households. A 2006 survey revealed – 85% of pet owners agreed their pet is part of the family, like a child; 57% of pet owners agreed their pet was their best friend; 38% of pet owners let their pet sleep in their bed; 21% celebrated their pet’s birthdays. It was stated by Former President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, Professor David Wiesbrot AM, that animal protection may be ‘the next generation social justice movement’. 25 years ago environmental law as an area of law was scoffed at. Potentially very wide scope, but some of the key issues include: Why and how do animals matter? obligations owed to animals; animal welfare, animal interests and animal rights. What is an ‘animal’ in law? detailed definition in Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (Qld) s 11 (but differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction). Legal status of animals animals as personal property. Farmed animals cruelty and welfare, including in factory farming and live export. Animals used in research role of Animal Ethics Committees, accountability. Wild animals protection, farming and killing of native species killing of so-called ’feral’ or ‘pest’ animals intersection with environmental law. In a university setting two main ways in which ‘animal law’ is taught/understood: ‘black letter’ courses, surveying established doctrinal categories (eg property, contract, torts, administrative law, succession etc) and identifying legislation and cases which in some way concern animals. law-in-context courses, which take a critical approach to the way in which animal interests are addressed in law. Animal law, especially a ‘law-in-context’ approach, draws on non-legal disciplinary knowledge including: animal welfare science (scientific evidence of animal behaviour/sentiency);