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.
Audubon Society of Portland v U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, and USDA Wildlife Services to stop the slaughter of thousands of cormorants in the Columbia River basin between Oregon and Washington.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed suit against Animaland Zoological Park for violations of the Endangered Species Act and state wildlife protection laws, prompting the facility to close its doors forever and release animals to sanctuaries.
Stop Animal Exploitation Now v Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. – Lawsuit filed in 2013
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint on behalf of Stop Animal Exploitation Now against Santa Cruz Biotechnology in a groundbreaking lawsuit against an animal research facility under California’s animal cruelty law and Unfair Competition Law.
In 2016, Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a motion to intervene in the SeaWorld v. California Coastal Commission lawsuit in California state court. We sought to uphold a permit condition imposed on SeaWorld, that restricts breeding and transfer of orcas.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in state court challenging Monterey County, California’s contract renewal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.
