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.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture when the agency weakened minimum standards for commercial dog breeders.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Mendocino County, California, for violating the California Environmental Quality Act by renewing a contract with the federal wildlife-killing program known as Wildlife Services.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund intervenes in Cat Haven Zoo’s appeal of a California Division of Occupational Safety special order, spurring a settlement and the addition of important safety measures at the zoo.
St. Louis Animal Rights Team v St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission
In 2014, the Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission for failing to enforce legal regulations against the city’s horse-drawn carriage industry.
Animal Legal Defense Fund v California Exposition and State Fair
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the California Exposition and State Fair and Regents of the University of California on grounds that the State Fair’s inhumane treatment of nursing and pregnant pigs violates state animal cruelty laws.
Animal Legal Defense Fund v United States Department of Agriculture
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture, challenging the agency’s decision to renew the Miami Seaquarium’s Animal Welfare Act license, on the grounds that an orca named Lolita was held there in inhumane conditions.
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Emily Ballus, Eileen McFall, Ph.D. and Christopher McFall v. City of Stockton; City of Stockton Animal Services Division; City of Stockton Animal Shelter; Pat Claerbout
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the city of Stockton, California, and Stockton Animal Services, for violation of local and state laws. The lawsuit was settled in 2015, with the Stockton animal shelter showing significant improvements.
Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA, INC. v. The Great Bull Run, LLC; Lone Star Rodeo, LLC
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit that put an end to the Great Bull Run—an event in which three dozen panicked bulls are forced to stampede down a narrow track with up to a thousand runners.
