Pinal County, Arizona
Case Closed. Verdict: Not Guilty
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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Historic Election Day Victory for Millions of Animals

Help Stop Animal Cruelty

ALDF addresses caucus supporting Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act

Decrepit County Facilities Brought under Fire for Falling Far Short of Standards Mandated by State's Humane Shelter Law

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

ALDF's New Study Ranks Provinces and Territories on Laws Protecting Animals - Ontario Ranks Worst, Manitoba Takes Top Honors in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s First-of-its-Kind Report

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

State RICO Laws to Cover Organized Dogfighting

New Law Will Criminalize Organized Dogfighting, Allow Prosecutors to Charge Abusers Under RICO Laws

ALDF Applauds Oregon Lawmakers for Passing S.B. 1072

SB 26 Criminalizes Organized Dogfighting

Found Guilty of Financing Dogfighting Operation and Viciously Killing Dogs

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

Groups Call on the Agency to Issue New Regulations Declaring Foie Gras a Diseased Product

Second Annual Report Ranking Every State and the District of Columbia on the Relative Strength and Comprehensiveness of Their Animal Protection Laws

Proposed Amendment to State RICO Act Could Send Dogfighters to Jail for 20 Years

Proposed Amendment to State RICO Act Could Send Dogfighters to Jail for 40 Years

State Appeals Court in Los Angeles Upholds City’s Ban on "Declawing"

House Agriculture Committee Removes Section 123

From A Hoarding Case Comes A New Law

What You Can Do If You've Been Affected By the Pet Food Recall

Double Whammy for Mistreated Animals is a Negative Side Effect of Measure 3

Rescued Chimps Enjoying Life at New Sanctuary

Animal Legal Defense Fund's Federal Suit against Sid "Ranger Rick" Yost Ends in Settlement Mandating Retirement of His Allegedly Abused Chimpanzees

ALDF Disappointed by High Court's Decision on Measure 3; Remains Confident in the Integrity of Abused Animal Forfeiture Laws

Move Follows Storm of Opposition From Animal Protection Groups

Developed for law students and law professionals, this tutorial focuses on fostering the growth of animal law in academia and legal practice. Animal Law 101 is in its new format and can be viewed online.

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.

Send a strong message to your elected officials with ALDF's Legislative Posters. Sayings include, "Animals Don't Vote, But Those Who Love Them Do," and "Your Constituents Are Sleeping With Our Clients."

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has issued an all-new report reviewing the status of the laws of each state in the country by chronicling both their statutes and caselaw as they relate to animal neglect.

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.

Find your elected officials and local district attorneys.

Pre-conviction forfeiture is important so that the animal victims do not waste away in cages indefinitely but are instead allowed to be placed into loving homes.

Animals can’t vote, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice in the political process. Animal advocates can give them a voice if the appropriate steps are taken in lobbying for pro-animal legislation. Learn how.

ALDF's Model Animal Protection Laws include definitions of terms, general prohibitions, defenses, pre- and post-conviction provisions, and other provisions.

A current list of U.S. jurisdictions with and without felony animal cruelty provisions.

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.

We all want the pleasures that come from having companion animals in our homes. However, with that comes an owner 's responsibility to be a good neighbor. Here are some tips for being a responsible pet owner and steps towards resolving conflict should it arise.

Problems with landlords, property management, or homeowners associations that say you must remove your companion animal are not uncommon. Here are some suggestions for how to handle these types of disputes.

It is a matter of great concern if your dog is in danger of being declared dangerous or vicious, or if your dog is in danger of being euthanized for alleged viciousness for having been involved in an incident. Read this important information.

There are many reasons why a prosecutor may choose not to pursue criminal cruelty charges, even when it appears to us that the perpetrator is obviously guilty. Find out why, and what you can do to help ensure animal abusers are prosecuted.

This information is designed to provide a general introduction to handling companion animal wrongful death or injury cases both for caretakers of animals who have been injured or killed and for attorneys handling these cases for their clients.

One of the most frequent requests for assistance that the Animal Legal Defense Fund receives is from people whose companion animals have suffered injuries, or even death, and who fear that negligence by their veterinarian was the cause. Here is some important information about veterinary malpractice.

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.

If you purchased an animal from a breeder or a pet store and then discovered that the animal is sick, or if the animal has even died as a result of ill health, read this 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.

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.

You go into a pet store to buy some delicious treats for your oh-so-adorable companion animal, only to find out that the store is selling live animals and keeping them in appalling conditions. Learn what you can do.

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.