08/14/2013 (press release: danielmathers) // Las Vegas, NV, USA
Raising awareness of the need to protect endangered animals has proved to be quite successful in recent years thanks to the increase in animal lawyer programs says animal rights advocate Igor Purlantov. Unfortunately it is not only endangered animals that should be protected. Household pets and farm animals are also abused and mistreated daily and need to be protected with the help of animal lawyer programs says Igor Purlantov.
Increasingly, animal layer programs are driving an increase in animal abuse legislation that is being signed into law to provide tougher penalties for animal abusers. One of the most recent examples is Patrick’s Law which was recently signed into legislation in New Jersey says Igor Purlantov. The law was inspired by Patrick, a pit bull, who was nearly starved to death and thrown into a garbage chute by its human caretaker in 2011. Maintenance workers found the dog and rescued it on St. Patrick’s Day, after which point became the beginning of a new life for Patrick who has since recovered completely says Igor Purlantov.
Unfortunately, there are many Patricks out there who can benefit from an increase in animal lawyer programs and tougher animal abuse laws. The good news is that there is an increased awareness of the need for animal lawyer programs so that animal protection laws can be passed and enforced says Igor Purlantov. Looking back to just 2001, there were only nine law schools in the United States that offered animal lawyer programs. Today that number has surpassed 100 and continues to grow. Animal law is one of the fastest growing fields in the legal profession and continues to drive the increase in animal lawyer programs says Igor Purantov. One of the main reasons for the growth of animal lawyer programs at law schools is student demand as more law students want to help animals.
The basis for animal lawyer programs and animal law in particular, revolves around anti-cruelty laws including damages for the wrongful death of an animal, custody determinations in cases of a divorce and veterinary malpractices, among others says Igor Purlantov. With the growth in animal lawyer programs also come some very interesting questions such as whether household pets should have more protection and rights than livestock. Another example is the rights and protection afforded to a mouse, which may be a pet to some and a problem to others.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) which was founded more than 30 years ago plays a significant role in working on anti-cruelty legislation. According to Igor Purlantov, the ALDF is aiming to have animal lawyer programs in every accredited law school so that animal law is taught to future lawyers. The Equal Justice Works Fellowships Program also provides financial support to lawyers working on innovative legal projects and has sponsors interested in funding lawyers working in the area of animal law. This is great news for students in animal lawyer programs that are looking to practice animal law.
The field of animal law is in infancy says Igor Purlantov who predicts an increase in animal lawyer programs. As animal law programs continues to grow so does the increase in awareness of animal rights and protection. There is little doubt that the time has come to realize that animals have feelings and should not be seen as property. It is good to know that animal lawyer programs are growing to provide animal laws to protect animals and finally give animals a voice says Igor Purlantov.
