Help stop animal hoarding! Support ALDF's model law.

Catch up with a crew of the case's spunkiest survivors.

The incredible patience and love of very special volunteers from nearby communities and the foster families who eventually helped them on their way to their forever homes made it possible for the Woodley dogs to have their second chance at life.

Images of the dogs rescued in ALDF v. Woodley, and the conditions in which they were found, leave no doubt that hoarding is one of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty facing communities nationwide.

A proposal for mandatory bans on contact with animals following a conviction for animal neglect or cruelty.

U.S. Supreme Court to address animal cruelty in U.S. v. Stevens.

ALDF's newly published Animal Fighting Factsheet and Michael Vick case study.

Palm Beach County, Florida
Case Closed

When it comes to animals, can the privileged get away with murder?

The case of dogfighter Craig Boyd illustrates how failing to prosecute operators aggressively, issuing lenient sentences for the convicted, and completely ignoring accessories to the crime impede efforts to stop animal fighting and all its cruelty.

Animal fighting has been brought to the forefront of the nation's attention by the highly publicized conviction of NFL star quarterback Michael Vick and three of his associates on federal and state charges related to illegal dogfighting.

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.

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.

Carter County, Oklahoma
Case Closed
Take Action!

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!

Martin County, Texas
Case Closed
Act now!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some months back, I was sent a video of men taunting a crippled dog in a foreign desert. They were laughing as they pelted the dog with rocks. Their victim, already suffering miserably, tried her best to escape the vicious onslaught.

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.

Lawsuit Follows Emergency Rescue of 6 Emaciated Horses, Too Late for a 7th Who Died in Extreme Pain of Starvation

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.

Washington County, Oregon
Case Closed
Act now!

ALDF offers a case study analysis on the criminal laws in Iowa, where the abuse of pigs on a farm supplying Hormel has raised a national outrage.

Orange County, Florida
Case Closed

Bronx, New York
Case Closed

The Horror is Finally Over For 250 Dogs and Cats

Carroll County, Virginia
Case Closed

Epidemic of Horse Neglect Cases Plague State Where Animal Protection Laws Rank Last in the Nation

Catawba County, North Carolina
Case Closed

Portland, Oregon
Case Closed
Act now!

Plainville, Connecticut
Case Closed

Animal Legal Defense Fund Dismisses Lawsuit Arguing that Corcpork, Inc. Violated Anti-Cruelty Laws by Keeping Pigs in Illegal Intensive Confinement Conditions

(Butler County, Ohio)
Case Closed
Take Action!

Alachua County, Florida
Case Closed
Act Now!

Swift Settlement Protects Severely Neglected Toy Poodles and Birds Seized in October from AKC Champion Breeder

Found Guilty of Financing Dogfighting Operation and Viciously Killing Dogs

National Animal Law Organization Offers Support in Case of Beagle Skinned Alive in Cullman County

Final Judgment in Lee County Court Means Dogs Rescued from Sanford Hoarders Will Be in Forever Homes for Christmas

San Bernardino County, California
Case Closed
Take Action!

United States
Act now!

"Free Baby Mendes" Campaign Shines Spotlight on Unlawful Conditions, Little-Known Practice within Dairy Industry

Nashville, Tennessee
Case Closed

Visalia, California

Eleven Neglected Cats Permanently Rescued From Horrific Living Conditions

Oregon Court of Appeals Grants Petition to Permanently Remove Cats from their Neglectful Owner in Linn County Hoarding Case, Sets Vital Precedent for Animal Law

National Animal Law Organization Offers Support in Case of Hialeah Man Charged with Ramming Cows with His Van

Since the very beginning, cutting-edge lawsuits have been at the heart of ALDF's work to protect the lives of animals. From pushing government agencies to do their jobs to protect animals to shining a national spotlight on issues like factory farming and dissection in schools.

Eureka, California
Case Closed

East Freedom, Pennsylvania
Case Closed
Act now!

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is urging the judge and district attorney in a local case of mass animal cruelty to set conditions preventing convicted abuser Bonnie George from continuing to own animals at her resentencing this evening in Franklinville, NY.

It began with one of the cruelest animal abuse cases imaginable. Three young men took Max, a brown tabby cat, from his home in Spokane, Washington, doused him with gasoline, and set him on fire in a field.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has produced a first-of-its-kind report – a ranking of all fifty states and the District of Columbia for the general comprehensiveness and relative strength of their respective animal protection laws.

The Legal Advocates' Manual for Animal Abuse Criminal Cases was written to help attorneys and others become effective advocates for animals while working with their local prosecutors' offices.

A principal function of the American legal system is to resolve disputes through an attempt to determine the truth. There are generally two kinds of legal actions filed in the U.S.: civil cases and criminal cases. This page describes the process of a civil lawsuit.

Several academic studies have found a clear link between animal cruelty during youth and violence against humans as an adult. This link is so well established, profilers routinely use animal cruelty reports in their assessment of the possible threat criminals pose.

A sample foster care agreement form for shelters to use to establish temporary foster homes for animals.

A sample foster care application form for shelters to use to establish temporary foster homes for animals.

This is the must-have resource for lawyers, law professors, law students, legislators, other legal professionals, and anyone who wants the most comprehensive animal protection laws collection of its kind available.

Whether writing to a prosecutor, sheriff, investigator or judge, our input can have a significant effect on how cases are handled and laws are enforced. The following tips will help you write a persuasive letter.

Finding an attorney to help with your animal-related issue can be an important step. ALDF offers these helpful suggestions when finding an animal law attorney.

If someone has injured or killed your animal, you may be entitled to damages, regardless of whether the animal was injured or killed intentionally or accidentally, as long as the conduct is determined to be negligent. Read this important information.

It can be heartbreaking to see a neighbor’s animal suffering in a situation of neglect. Depending on the situation, there are various ways you can help the animal or animals involved. Read for more information.

Shelters without the resources to house large numbers of animals can adapt and use ALDF's Foster Care Application and Foster Care Agreement forms as part of a foster care program to establish temporary foster homes for the animals.

It is very disturbing when your local humane organizations are not addressing the needs of animals in your community in an effective and compassionate manner. Learn what should be expected from your local humane organizations.

If you witness the abuse or neglect of an animal, please immediately file a complaint with your local law enforcement agency and insist that an investigation be completed. If charges have been filed, please contact ALDF and read this important information.

When the Animal Legal Defense Fund heard about 325 dogs living in deplorable conditions in Sanford, North Carolina, we launched an investigation, then filed suit against Barbara and Robert Woodley.