Litigation
Filing High Impact Lawsuits that Expand the Protections for Animals Under the Law
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The Litigation Program files high-impact lawsuits against individuals and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos. We litigate cases in state and federal courts with the goal of stopping abusive practices and setting ground-breaking precedent that will establish justice for animals in the legal system. In addition to suing animal abusers, we often sue state and federal governments and agencies to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals; and we intervene in litigation to defend animal protection laws when they are under siege from industries that abuse animals.
Featured Cases
Defending California’s Proposition 12 Against Iowa Industry Group’s Challenge
Iowa Pork Producers Association v. Bonta
The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s coalition is helping defend Prop 12, California’s landmark farmed animal protection law.
Justice the Horse Sues Abuser
Justice v. Gwendolyn Vercher
In 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a groundbreaking lawsuit on behalf of an 8-year-old horse named Justice. If successful, this lawsuit will be the first to establish that animals have a legal right to sue their abusers in court.
Recent Victories
Challenging Kansas’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund et. al. v. Kelly et. al.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in Kansas challenging the constitutionality of the state’s Ag-Gag law, which makes it a crime to document animal cruelty at factory farms and slaughterhouses.
Challenging Cricket Hollow Zoo’s Treatment of Animals (2018)
Kuehl v. Sellner
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit alleging Cricket Hollow Zoo violates state public nuisance law by routinely mistreating hundreds of animals in violation of Iowa’s animal cruelty laws.
Challenging Backyard Butchers in Florida
Danice Echgelmeier v. Roman Hernandez
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit to shut down four black market backyard slaughter operations outside of Fort Myers, Florida.
Challenging the Sale of Puppy Mill Dogs – Barkworks Class Action
Chelsea Vancleve v Chien Et Chat, Inc.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a class action lawsuit against pet store chain Barkworks, on behalf of puppy purchasers harmed by the company’s illegal and deceptive practices in selling puppy mill dogs.
Litigation Program Team
See bar admissions of our attorneys.
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Anthony Eliseuson
Litigation Program Director -
Amanda Howell
Managing Attorney -
Ariel Flint
Staff Attorney -
Caitlin Foley
Senior Staff Attorney -
Chris Berry
Managing Attorney -
Christine Ball-Blakely
Staff Attorney -
Cristina Kladis
Staff Attorney -
Daniel Waltz
Managing Attorney -
Emma McCapes
Litigation Coordinator -
Larissa Liebmann
Senior Staff Attorney
Related News
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Federal Judge Rules USDA Acted Unlawfully in Denying Petition to Improve the Psychological Well-Being of Primates Used in Research
On March 23, 2023, Judge Julie Rubin of the federal district court in Maryland issued a decision, ruling that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) acted unlawfully by denying a petition for rulemaking to improve the standard for the psychological well-being of primates in researchMarch 23, 2023 News -
Oregon Supreme Court Denies Petition to Review Case Involving Lawsuit on Behalf of Abused Horse
Lawsuit sheds light on the need to recognize legal rights for animal cruelty victims.March 7, 2023 Press Release -
Fourth Circuit Enjoins North Carolina Ag-Gag Law
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit handed an important win to plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s Ag-Gag law, ruling that undercover investigations and whistleblowing are considered newsgathering activities protected by the First Amendment.February 23, 2023 Press Release
