Speaking out against animal abuse is one of the most powerful actions advocates can take to help animals.

This comprehensive resource discusses the most common types of animal fighting, issues common to animal fighting cases, state and federal laws and prosecuting animal fighting crimes.

When she got her law degree, Joyce Tischler knew exactly what she loved, she just didn’t expect to make a living doing it.

Animal advocates are speaking out! Many of you have written letters in response to the sad outcome of a Pinal County, Arizona case in which a man dragged a horse behind his truck and then beat her with a PVC pipe as his 13-year-old daughter kicked the horse in the head, while both yelled at the horse to get up.

Despite the overwhelming response and public outcry, on March 19, 2009, March 19, 2009, a jury acquitted Gordon Allen Bates of Pinal County, Arizona, finding him "not guilty" after being charged with felony animal cruelty for dragging a horse behind his truck and then beating the horse with a PVC pipe while his 13-year-old daughter kicked the horse in the head, while both yelled at the horse to get up.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is taking Michael, Judy, and Gayle Keating to court for severely neglecting eight horses whom they starved - in one case, literally to death - and deprived of all veterinary care.

Breed-specific bans and restrictions are extremely problematic. Dangerous dogs can be of any breed, or of mixed breeds. Such bans are not only difficult to enforce, but they also unfairly penalize those dogs and guardians who are behaving in accordance with the laws, while doing nothing to address one of the root causes of dangerous dogs – irresponsible guardians.

Addressing the issue of aggressive dogs in a non-breed-specific fashion, focusing on the behavior of individual dogs, not on their breed.

With a personality that radiates warmth, "Sunny" enthuses about rescuing animals, teaching animal law at the John Marshall Law School and coaching students for the Harvard Law School's National Animal Advocacy Closing Argument Competition.

An attorney with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Rene recently assisted with drafting an alliance agreement between ALDF and Lewis and Clark Law School, resulting in the first-of-its kind Center for Animal Law Studies.

If you're a lawyer, law professor, law student, legislator or other legal professional, this is a must-have resource!

ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells recently had a chance to chat with Bob about his upcoming book, his work for animals - and why he is such a big supporter of animal law as the most effective means to fighting cruelty.

Come on down and enjoy our chat with Bob!

From visiting the sheriff’s office and asking them to enforce tethering laws to having an animal law course added to the curriculum, the Texas Tech School of Law SALDF chapter has come a long way in the short time it has been in existence.

Ask Joyce: I'm worried about who will care for my cats, Bob and Alice, when I die. My family is gone, and I have no friends who can take care of them. What do I do?

Court orders county shelter to improve conditions by July 1st.

As mentioned on our website last Fall, Puerto Rico is making some great strides in improving their animal laws, adopting a large portion of ALDF's model laws in legislation that sailed through nearly a year ago.

Carter County, Oklahoma
Case Closed
Take Action!

There is a little-known practice in the dairy industry called "tail docking." According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), tail docking is a procedure by which a dairy cow's tail is either removed or partially removed.

Animal legal education has reached a new milestone with the appointment of the nation’s first dean in the field, Pamela Frasch.

Collier County, Florida

Not too long ago, I got a typical call from a somewhat harried prosecutor. She works as the lead attorney in the domestic violence unit of her office, loves animals and had heard that ALDF can help busy prosecutors get better results in their cases.

Pinal County, Arizona
Case Closed. Verdict: Not Guilty
Take Action!

ALDF received this great news from Robyn Katz, President of the Texas Tech University Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF).

The Animal Legal Defense Fund appealed a Feb. 19 court decision which temporarily stops the state from enforcing key provisions of California's newly upgraded law banning the use of sick and disabled animals in the food supply.

Thank you so much to all of the Animal Legal Defense Fund supporters who made our first-ever National Justice for animals such a tremendous success!

Tragic results for everyone when wild animals are kept as "pets"

Has your prosecutor or other local law enforcement official taken a strong stand against animal cruelty? Let us know! Submit your nominations for who should be honored during next year’s National Justice for Animals Week!

Ask your prosecutor to enforce a Zero Tolerance for Cruelty policy in your community! Tough laws protecting animals are critical in fighting animal abuse - but laws are meaningless without vigorous enforcement. The prosecutors being honored by ALDF during National Justice for Animals Week demonstrate what remarkable power law enforcement officials have in creating real justice for animals.

Letters to the editor are short by design, and one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper. If you don’t think the issue of animal abuse is getting sufficient coverage in your local rag, or if you want to applaud a particular reporter for going in-depth to cover a case of animal cruelty, a letter to the editor is a great way to do it.

If you haven't yet joined the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have signed the Animal Bill of Rights - take action now! Help us meet the goal of adding 10,000 new signatures to the Animal Bill of Rights petition during National Justice for Animals Week. Let Congress and all of our elected officials know that the law should protect the basic needs of all animals - and should provide justice for those who are abused and exploited.

Watch ALDF's special video profile of our National Justice for Animals Week mascot—Adam, a 2-year-old cat who survived a horrific act of cruelty to inspire animal advocates around the world.

ALDF’s Litigation Program scored a pair of important legal victories in the past two weeks, both of which will significantly push forward our lawsuits to protect animals.

California Food Safety Law Enacted in Wake of Hallmark Meat Recall Put on Hold

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is proud to have Congressman Cohen as a co-sponsor for National Justice for Animals Week. Congressman Cohen sponsored Tennessee's T-Bo Law, the nation's first-ever statute providing for noneconomic damages, up to $5000, in cases of intentional or negligent acts resulting in the death of a companion dog or cat.

Most recently, Mr. Brandes has been working on prosecuting large scale breeders, including a case in which more than 130 dogs were seized from the property of defendant Mahlon "Pat" Patrick.

Ms. Trout, with the assistance of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, has prevailed in securing a conviction by jury for animal abuse in the case against the owner of Puddles, a 13-year-old Bichon Frise who had suffered such severe neglect that he had to be euthanized.

Ms. Moawad's aggressive prosecution of profoundly cruel animal abuse in the White Socks kitten case helped improve the flawed sentencing system that capped the state’s ability to put the offenders away for a meaningful period of time.

Ms. Knaan helped introduce new state legislation, AB 243, into the California Assembly—this bill would allow a judge to bar a felon convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a certain period after their release. She is currently working on a program designed to encourage reporting of animal fighting and a program intended to educate those who have failed to properly care for their animals.

Help us add 10,000 new signatures to the Animal Bill of Rights during National Justice for Animals Week - sign today, and spread the word!

Mr. Fleck has prosecuted upwards of 50 felony animal cruelty cases, many through verdict after jury trials. Every trial has resulted in conviction, and every conviction, barring extraordinary circumstances, has resulted in a jail or prison sentence.

Recognizing that animals are among the most vulnerable members of our society and that those who mistreat animals often commit crimes against human victims, Mr. Cooley created the largest division in the country dedicated to the consistent and vigorous prosecution of animal cruelty, animal neglect, and illegal animal fighting cases.

Believing that education is the most effective tool to changing people's attitudes, Sandra has initiated, developed and/or hosted numerous training opportunities, both within the Department and with other organizations, that are designed to eliminate misconceptions about animal-related crimes and redirect the focus from a simple "humane issue" to a "law enforcement issue."

Download ALDF's printer-friendly resources to provide you with the critical information you need to get active for animals - ALDF's criminal justice factsheets and our special 18-page resource guide for activists and communities.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has created National Justice for Animals Week, an annual event that is dedicated to raising public awareness nationwide about how to report animal abuse and how to work within your community to create stronger laws and assure tough enforcement. Mark your calendars for ALDF's first-ever National Justice for Animals Week, February 22-28.

The tragic death of Travis, a Connecticut family’s “pet” chimpanzee, earlier this week, has been making international headlines. Sadly, the unfortunate result of keeping a chimpanzee as a pet comes as no surprise to us at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, where we have worked to protect the interests of Great Apes for decades.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Celebrates First-Ever National Justice for Animals Week, February 22 - 28

Spread the word! Let everyone know you have joined the fight against animal abuse by downloading one of our eye-catching National Justice for Animals Week badges.

The Center for Animal Law Studies held the 2009 National Animal Law Moot Court and Closing Argument Competition this past weekend at Harvard Law School. I am happy to report first-hand that the event was a terrific success!

Good news out of Arkansas this past week: the governor there finally signed off on a felony anti-cruelty law that will take effect 90 days after the current legislative session concludes. This is a truly remarkable feat for 3 reasons.

The SALDF chapter at the University of Houston has had its ups and downs this past year, but has managed to stay focused on their primary objective - making the world a better place for all creatures, one step at a time.

ALDF strengthens collaboration with Lewis & Clark Law School

The University of Chicago Law School SALDF hosted Animal Law Week, a weeklong symposium of events that featured more than a dozen speakers from different organizations.

You've been a tremendous voice for animals in 2008 - from supporting ALDF's work with generous donations to taking action on cases that needed urgent attention. Because of you, more animals have been saved and more cutting-edge laws put in place to protect them. Your actions have made a world of difference for our clients - the animals!

Celebrate ALDF's cutting-edge efforts for cats in 2008.

Animal Legal Defense Fund Releases Annual Report Ranking Animal Cruelty Laws Across the Nation

This report - the only one of its kind in the nation - ranks the animal protection laws of every state based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness.

The New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Animals and the Law has a new Mentor Program and is looking for law students who wish to participate.

Joining the Animal Law Committee within the Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the ABA is a fantastic opportunity for all Student Animal Legal Defense Fund members and law students.

Founded just last spring, Charleston School of Law SALDF has already celebrated some early successes.

Kerry Patton’s article entitled, "Justice for Animals: The State of the Law in Connecticut," appears in the most recent issue of Connecticut Lawyer.

Historic Election Day Victory for Millions of Animals

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and Center for Animal Law Studies present 16th annual gathering of legal luminaries, academics, and authors whose careers have gone to the dogs.

Panels include: Lessons Learned from the Vick Dogs, Persons or Property? The Ideal Status of Animals, and more!

There are countless avenues by which people are prompted to give more consideration to non-human animals. For Robert Knaier, it was philosophy.

Sherman v. Kissinger Ends With a Victory

ALDF addresses caucus supporting Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act

Alexis Fox & Andrew Brighten, ALDF's 2008 summer law clerks, share their experiences as clerks and some advise for other law students.

You'd think a busy attorney would be satisfied that her standard work load and untold pro bono hours were enough. Not Nicole Roth.

For Gabriela Sandoval, nothing is more important than helping those in need. And as part of ALDF's volunteer attorney network, she is putting her skills to work.

ALDF's message to legislators centered on the importance of laws aimed at reducing the enormous costs involved in caring for abused animals.

A majority of states guarantee you the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement as part of a criminal case against someone who injured or killed your companion animal. Learn what to include when writing one and how a Victim Impact Statement may affect your case.

It is still uncommon for animal cruelty investigators to serve as expert witnesses, but if you or someone in your agency has the right combination of education, experience, and training, you may qualify as an expert witness.

This educational guide for animal activists includes information about basic legal principles applicable with respect to activism, planning a demonstration, civil disobedience, interacting with police, and an Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act summary.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) chapters are student groups that are affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and share its mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.