Animal Law

“The White One Wants My Flesh”

A minor dispute, but one that generated two excellent quotes. On September 16, a dog owner in Lafayette, Colorado (near Boulder) was ticketed after an altercation involving himself, his two dogs and a local cyclist.  Peter West was walking his…


One Wounded in Man-Bat Fracas

What is the world coming to when a man can't take the steps necessary to defend his home and family from mammalian invaders?  Ask Cedric Newton, who was charged last week with reckless discharge of a firearm simply for trying to…


“Gay Dog” Defense Fails in Discrimination Case

A restaurant that refused to seat a blind patron because its workers allegedly believed his seeing-eye dog was gay has been fined $1,500 by the Australian Equal Opportunity Tribunal.  The restaurant, located in Adelaide, also agreed to provide a written apology to…


Circuses Legal Again in Turkmenistan

Good news for circus-lovers in Turkmenistan — the ban has finally been lifted. Circuses were banned years ago by the country's former ruler, Saparmurat Niyazov.  MSNBC called Niyazov an "eccentric autocrat" but that is understating it just a bit.  Niyazov…


Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Supervise Gophers

From this week's California case reports: Jensen Corporation Landscape Contractor v. McGuire & Hester; Cabrillo Community College District; Western Surety Co., No. CV167244 (filed Apr. 16, 2010). Breach of contract. The plaintiff suffered additional labor and material costs due to delays caused…



Ape in Court

Seems like there is always some humor in store anytime an animal shows up in court.  I guess there was that one time it didn't go so well: Even then, though, the chimpanzees were kind of funny.  (It's those friggin orangutangs…


Ohio County Pays for Bat Attack

Those of you who live in Ohio and have recently been attacked by a rabid animal, please be aware that you only have four months to ask for compensation under state law.  (File now – you can thank me later.)…


Woman Claims She Was Struck by Falling Moose Head

New York resident Raina Kumra has sued the White Slab Palace restaurant in Manhattan, alleging that she was hit by a 150-pound moose head that fell off the wall above her during a party.  The moose head, which sports antlers over…


Bear-Disturbance Acquittal Follow-Up

Last week I mentioned that I was having trouble finding the law that Kenneth Herron supposedly violated when he infiltrated the bear grotto at the San Francisco Zoo.  I speculated that it might have been section 5.08 of the San…