Litigation – List of Cases

Filing High Impact Lawsuits that Expand the Protections for Animals Under the Law

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.

Farmed Animals

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.

Animals Used in Research

Challenging the USDA’s Secret Policy on Laboratory Inspections

Animal Legal Defense Fund v. USDA

The agency that oversees the care and conditions of animals in research facilities said it wouldn’t outsource AWA inspections to private organizations after facing public outcry against the proposal. Then it implemented such a policy in secret.

Farmed Animals

Defending California’s Landmark Farmed Animal Protection Law, Proposition 12

NPPC and AFBF v. Ross

For the second time, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has intervened to help California defend its landmark farmed animal protection law, Proposition 12. The case will next be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Captive Animals

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.

Companion Animals

Challenging a California Puppy Mill for Violating State and Local Laws

CARU Society for the Prevention v. Anthony

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the owner of California Carolina Dogs for operating an illegal puppy mill.

Animals Used in Research

Krasno v. Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin

ALDF filed a lawsuit on behalf of Madeline Krasno, a former employee of one of UW-Madison’s controversial primate research labs, who has been prevented from posting truthful comments on the school’s otherwise public Instagram and Facebook posts because they are critical of the university’s storied history of animal testing.

Farmed Animals

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.

Farmed Animals

Challenging Louisiana’s Meat-Labeling Censorship Law

Tofurky v. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on behalf of Tofurky challenging a Louisiana law that would impose fines of up to $500 per day for every advertisement or sale of plant-based meat products that include terms like “burger” and “sausage,” even when paired with terms like “veggie,” “plant-based,” or “vegan.”

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Litigation – List of Cases

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