Litigating Animal Law DisputesA Complete Guide for Lawyers

J O A N S C H A F F N E RA N D J U L I E F E R S H T M A N

E D I T O R S

TOUT TRIAL & INSURANCE PRACTICE StCTION

Defending LibertyPursuing justice

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About the Editors xxiAbout the Contributors xxiii

PREFACEAnimal Law: A Significant Journey xxxiBarbara J. Gislason

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxxix

CHAPTER 1Introduction 1Joan E. SchaffnerJulie I. Fershtman

I. Overview 1II. "Animal Law" 2

III. Ligating Animal Law Disputes 3

CHAPTER 2Negligence and Tort Law 7Julie I. Fershtman

I. Introduction 8II. Basic Elements 9

III. Theories of Liability 10A. Common Law 10

1. Animal's "Vicious or Dangerous Propensities" 102. Negligent Supervision or Instruction 123. Gross Negligence and Willful and Wanton

Misconduct 124. Premises Liability 135. Strict Liability 136. Products Liability 147. Trespass of Animal 14

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8. Res Ipsa Loquitur 159. Attractive Nuisance 15

10. Negligence Per Se 15B. Statutory 16

1. Strict Liability and Dog-Bite Statutes 162. Animal Running at Large Statutes 173. Equine Activity Liability Statutes 184. Federal Tort Claims Act 195. Civil Rights Laws and Section 1983 20

IV. Defenses 20A. Reasonable Care Exercised by Defendant 20B. Assumption of Risk 21C. Comparative and Contributory Negligence 22D. Waivers, Releases of Liability, and Exculpatory

Agreements 23E. Sovereign Immunity 24

V. Intentional Torts 24A. Practical Considerations in Bringing Intentional

Tort Claims 24B. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress 25

VI. Litigation 26A. Early Case Considerations 26B. Statutes of Limitation 26C. Discovery 27

1. Depositions 272. Interrogatories 283. Document Requests 284. Subpoenas 295. Requests for Admission 296. Expert Witnesses 29

D. Proving Damages 301. Injured People 302. Injured Animals 30

E. Trial Strategy 31Appendices 31

A. Checklist for Evaluation of a Loose Livestock Case 31B. Sample Complaint in an Equestrian Personal

Injury Case 32C. Sample Affirmative Defenses in an Equine-Related

Personal Injury Case 39D. Sample Plaintiff's Interrogatories to Defendant in

a Personal Injury Case 40

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E. Sample Defendant's Interrogatories to Plaintiff inan Equestrian Personal Injury Case 48

F. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Bailment and NegligenceCase Arising from a Boarded Horse That Became Looseand Died 54

G. Sample Answer to Complaint in a Breach of Bailmentand Negligence Case Arising from a Boarded HorseThat Became Loose and Died 61

H. Sample Complaint in a Dog-Bite Case 65/. Sample Answer and Defenses in a Dog-Bite Case 67

CHAPTER 3Ownership, Custody, and Keeping of Animals 81Stacy L. Kelly

I. Introduction: Animals as Personal Property 82II. Owner or Guardian 83

III. Custody and Possession of Animals 84A. In the Event of Separation or Divorce 84

1. Custody 852. Visitation 863. Damages Clause 86

B. Lost and Found Animals 86C. Abandoned Animals 87

1. Generally 872. In Cases of Emergency or Disaster 88

D. Seized Animals 88IV. Planning for the Continued Care of Pets 88

A. Power of Attorney 89B. Bequest in a Will 89

1. Unconditional Bequest 902. Conditional Bequest 903. Pet Trusts 91

C. Inter Vivos Pet Trusts 911. Statutory Pet Trusts 922. Factors to Consider in Creating Pet Trusts 95

a. Select and Designate Trustee 95b. Select and Designate Caregiver 95c. Identify Animals 96d. Identify Standards of Care and Living 97e. Establish Duties and Powers of Trustee 97

i. Inspection of Animal 97ii. Liability Insurance 97

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iii. Health Insurance 98iv. Accounting 98

f. Calculate Amount Needed to Fund Trust 98g. Specify Distribution Method 99h. Determine Distributions for Beneficiary/

Caretaker 99i. Determine Trustee Compensation 100j . Consider Requiring a Bond 100k. Consider Including Exculpatory Clauses 1001. Specify Duration of Trust 100

m. Provide Instructions for Dispositionof Animal at Death 101

n. Select and Designate Remainder Beneficiary 1013. Options for Pet Owners Residing in States with

No Pet Trust Statute 102a. Trust for Human Beneficiary with

Pet Care Authorized 102b. Use of Pet Trust Statute of Another State 102

D. Euthanasia of Pet upon Death of Owner 102V. Bailment Agreements 103

A. Bailment Defined 103B. Types of Bailment 103C. Elements of Bailment 104D. Bailee's Defense 104E. Bailment and Pets 105F. Damages 106

Appendices 106A. Sample Testamentary Animal Trust 106B. Sample Inter Vivos Animal Trust 109C. Sample Bailment Complaint 112D. Sample Requests for Production to Defendant 114E. Sample Interrogatories to Defendant 115F. Sample Requests for Admissions to Defendant 116G. Sample Questions for Plaintiff's Expert Deposition 116

CHAPTER 4Veterinary Malpractice 127Gregory M. Dennis

I. Overview 128A. Veterinary Law—Generally 128B. Brief History of Veterinary Malpractice Law 128C. Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship 128

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II. Types of Claims Asserted against Veterinarians 129A. Legal Standard of Care Applicable to Other Professionals

Also Applies to Veterinarians 130B. Required Elements for Veterinary Malpractice 131

1. Negligence on the Veterinarian's Part IsNot Presumed 132

2. Veterinarians Have a Wide Range of Discretion inExercising Veterinary Medical Judgments 132

C. Standing to Maintain a Veterinary Malpractice Action 133D. Comparative Fault and Contributory Negligence 133E. Res Ipsa Loquitur 135

III. Requirement of Expert Testimony to EstablishVeterinary Malpractice 136A. Daubert and Veterinary Expert Witnesses 144B. Expert Testimony Must Indicate Not Only

Professional Error, but That Error Caused Injury 145C. Common-Knowledge Exception 147D. Professional versus Ordinary Negligence 149E. Reading Veterinary Books or Texts Alone Is

Not Sufficient 150IV. Additional Considerations 150

A. Statute of Limitations 150B. Long-Arm Jurisdiction over Out-of-State Veterinarians 151C. Governmental Immunity 152D. Veterinary Good Samaritan Laws 153E. Informed Consent and Owner Consent 154

V. Special Issues 156A. Liability for the Transmission ofZoonotic or Parasitic

Diseases from Animals to Humans 156B. Liability for Transmission of Diseases between Animals 158C. Client Injuries from Animals under Treatment 161D. Extralabel and Off-Label Use of Drugs 163

VI. Damages Recoverable in Veterinary Malpractice Actions 164VII. Conclusion 166

VIII. Pleadings and Discovery 166

CHAPTER 5Animal-Related Contract and Sales Disputes 199Julie I. Fershtman

I. Introduction 200II. Common-Law Issues 200

A. Bailments 200

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B. Fraud or Misrepresentation 202C. Breach of Fiduciary Duties 203D. Replevin 204

III. Statutory Issues 204A. Uniform Commercial Code and Breach of Warranties 204

1. Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability 2052. Breach of Implied Warranty of Fitness for a

Particular Purpose 2053. Breach of Express Warranty 2054. Monetary Damages in Breach of Warranty Claims.... 2065. Rescission 2076. Defenses to Warranty Claims 207

B. Consumer Protection and Deceptive Trade PracticeStatutes 208

C. Special Pet Purchase Protection Statutes 209IV. Other Defenses 209

A. No Reliance 209B. Statements of "Puffing" Are Not Actionable 209C. Statute of Frauds 209D. Animal Was Sound Prior to Sale 210

V. Litigation Strategies 210A. Counterclaims 210B. Interrogatories and Document Requests 210

1. By Buyer's Counsel to the Defendant Seller 2102. By Seller's Counsel to the Plaintiff Buyer 211

C. Depositions 211D. Trial 212

Appendices 212A. Sample Demand Letter in an Equine Sale Dispute 212B. Sample Response to Demand Letter in an Equine

Sale Dispute 215C. Sample Complaint in a Sales Fraud Case 219D. Sample Affirmative Defenses in a Sales Fraud Case 233£. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case 235F. Sample Answer and Counterclaim in Breach of Fiduciary

Duty Case 237G. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Bailment Case 241H. Sample Answer and Affirmative Defenses in a Breach

of Bailment Case 246I. Sample Interrogatories from Plaintiffs to Defendants in an

Equine Sale Case 252

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/. Sample Defendant's Interrogatories to Plaintiff in anEquine Sale Case 257

CHAPTER 6The Disabled, Service Animals, and the Law 267Gary C. Norman

I. Introduction 269A. Historical Perspectives 269B. Legal Scope 270

II. Considerations on the Definition of the Service Animal 270A. Statutory Definition of Service Animal 270B. Agencies Address Definition of Service Animal 273

III. Training Standards and Certification 274IV. Overview: Accommodating Service Animals under

Federal Law 276V. Service Animals at Your Feet on Board: Air Carriers

Access Act 278A. Introduction 278B. Prohibition against Unlawful Discrimination 278

1. Boarding 2802. Access to Facilities and Information 2833. Decision Interpreting Coverage of Southwest's

Web Site as Place of Public Accommodation 284C. Foreign Travel 285D. Defenses 286£. Remedies: Lots of Greenbacks for Discrimination? 287

1. A Case Regarding JNOV and Medical Damagesagainst Northwest Airlines 288

2. Compliance Reviews: As Good as Greenbacks? 289F. Future Issues 289

VI. Service Animals in Your Apartment: Some Say Yes,I Say No? 290A. Reasonable Accommodations 290B. The Ugly Face of Discrimination: An Overview of

Its Nature and Burdens of Proof 292C. Case Examples of Discrimination 293D. My Emotional Support Animal and I Demand

Accommodations Here—Does My ApartmentComplex Have a Legal Obligation? 294

E. Defenses 295F. Remedies 295

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VII. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 296A. General Comments 296B. Title II 297

1. Overview 2972. Examples of Access Protections, If Any,

for Service Animal Handlers 297a. Local Government 297b. Quarantine Restrictions 298c. Access to Public Transportation 299d. What to Do? Law Enforcement Faces Off

with Assistance Dogs 299C. Title III 301

1. General Principles 3012. Access to Differing Places of Public

Accommodations 302a. Snoopy "Chilling" on the Sun Deck: Is He

Allowed to Take a Cruise? 303b. Service Animals under the Table at a Bistro 304c. Service Animals under the Bed: Places

of Lodging 305d. Shopping at a Boutique for That

Pampered Pup 306e. Sphygmomanometers and Stethoscopes:

But Look, a Dog 3073. Defenses 310

a. Fundamental Alteration 312i. Allergies and Religious Tenets 312

ii. Educational Settings 314iii. What Happens When Allowing Access

Seemingly Violates the Health Code 316b. Mistake Is Not a Defense 318c. Religious and Other Organizations 318d. Remedies 318e. Closing Thoughts on Title III 318

VIII. Emergency Preparedness 319IX. Identifying If Lassie Is a Dog Guide or Just

a Great Thespian 320A. ADA Provisions 320B. State Analysis in Attorney General Opinion 322

X. State Protections Briefly Explored 323XI. Scooby, Snoopy, and Lassie All Say Bye—Concluding

the Chapter 325

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CHAPTER 7Animal Insurance Litigation 341Julie I. Fershtman

I. Introduction 341II. Coverage Issues Involving Animal Insurance Policies 342

A. General Condition of Animal at Policy's Inception 342B. Condition of Timely Notice to Insurer 343C. Euthanasia and Humane Destruction Disputes 344D. Postmortem Requirements 346

III. Damages 347A. Attorneys'Fees 347B. Penalty Interest 347C. Unfair Trade Practices Act or Insurance Practices Act 348D. Punitive Damages 348

IV. Litigation Considerations for Counsel 348A. Timing for Instituting Litigation 348B. State Insurance Bureau Complaints 348C. Burden of Proof 349D. Venue 349E. Arbitration 349F. Discovery 350G. Motions 350

CHAPTER 8Legal Issues Involving Animal Associations and Individuals

Helping Animals 355Zandra Anderson

I. Introduction 358II. Establishing an Animal, Rescue, or Humane Organization 359

A. Benefits and Drawbacks of Establishing an Associationor Organization 359

B. Benefits and Drawbacks of Establishing a 501(c)(3)Charitable Corporation 360

III. Protections of 501(c)(3) Status 361A. Immunity from Liability for Volunteers 361B. Limitations on Liability for the Charitable Organization 362C. Limitations on Employee Liability 363D. Exceptions to Immunity 363

1. Volunteers Negligently Operatinga Motor Vehicle 363

2. Willful or Gross Negligence 365E. Summary: Establishing an Animal Organization 365

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IV. Liability of the Animal, Rescue, or Humane Organization 365A. Can a Rescue Group or Individual Rescuer Be Sued

for Negligence in Placing a Dog? 366B. Ethical and Legal Considerations of Full Disclosure

in Adopting Animals 367C. Proper Screening of the Adopter or New Owner 369

1. Determine What Other Animals the New 'Owner Has 369

2. Determine the Age of Everyone in the Family 369V. Liability of a Rescue Organization for Placement

of Original Owner's Animal with a New Owner:Who Owns the Dog? 370A. The Stray or At-Large Animal 370

1. Impoundment 3702. Owner Claims the Animal After It Has

Been Adopted 3703. How to Handle Ownership Questions and Avoid a

Potential Lawsuit 3744. How to Handle Ownership Issues Contractually 3745. If Local Laws Do Not Address All Rescue

Organizations, How Are Strays orAt-Large Animals Affected? 374

6. Local Laws Rarely Affect the Individual Rescuer 3757. Try to Determine Ownership during the

Waiting Period 375B. The Owner Turn-In or Owner Surrender 376C. Animals Seized by Local Authorities 377

1. Awarded to Shelters 3772. Animals Seized as Evidence in Possession

of the Shelter 377D. Animals at Large or Seized Due to Disasters 378E. Establishing Disputed-Ownership Policies 379

VI. The Importance of Contractual Agreements in Protectingthe Rescue Organization and Ensuring ResponsiblePlacement of Animals 380A. The Adoption Application: Soliciting Information to Ensure a

Responsible Adoption and Protect the Rescue Organization ...3811. Elements of a Good Application '. 381

a. Full Identification of the Potential Adopter 381b. Home Ownership and Homeowners'

Associations 382

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c. Leasing or Renting 382d. Number, Kind, and Sex of Other Pets 382e. Age of Everyone in the Home 383f. Work Schedule of the Adopter(s) 383g. Where the Animal Will Stay and How It Will

Be Cared For 3832. How an Application Benefits a Rescue

Organization 384B. The Adoption Contract: Binding the Adopter, Protecting

the Rescue 3841. Key Elements of a Rescue Organization's

Adoption Contract 385a. Proper Identification of the Adopters and

the Animal to Be Adopted 385b. Organization's Expectations of the Adopter 385c. Disclaimer and Hold-Harmless Provision 385d. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization

If the Adopter Can No Longer Keep It 386e. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization

in the Event of Death of the Adopter 386f. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization

Due to Breach of the Adoption Contract 387g. Ownership Disputes 387h. Spaying and Neutering Provisions 388

2. How to Draft the Contract to Protect the Organizationfrom a Lawsuit 388

C. The Owner Turn-In Contract: Key Elements 3881. Identify the Person Alleging to Be the Owner 3892. Specify That Property Rights Are Extinguished

in the Transfer 389VII. Liability of Rescuers and Rescue Groups for Defamation 389

A. Talk Is Not Cheap If It Is Slander 389B. The Humane Society of Dallas Bites Back: The Rescue

Organization as the Defamed Plaintiff. 390C. Alleged Defamation over Cruelty Determination: The Individual

as the Defamed Plaintiff against a Rescue Organization 390D. Posting Alleged Defamatory Remarks on an Internet

Bulletin Board 391E. Alleged Defamation Could Curtail Donations to Charitable

Rescue Organization 392F. The DNA: They Sent What on E-mail? 393

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G. Sending E-mail from an Employer's Account 393VIII. Liability of Animal Shelters Run by Government Entities 394

A. Liability for Torts 394B. Liability for Damages Arising from Torts 394C. Notice Provisions 395D. Liability for the Placement of Animals: Sovereign

Immunity 395IX. Responsibility of Animal Associations and Individual

Rescuers for Spaying and Neutering 396A. Legal Responsibility of the Rescue Organization for

Spaying and Neutering 396B. Individual Rescuer's Responsibility for Spaying

and Neutering 397X. Liability of the Individual for Helping and

Rescuing Animals 398A. Feral Cat Colonies 398

1. Consideration of Local At-Large Laws 398a. Cities Allowing Cats to Be at Large by

Specifically Exempting Them 398b. Cities Allowing Cats to Be at Large

by Omission 399c. Cities That Prohibit Cats from Being

at Large 3992. Local Laws That Prohibit Maintaining Feral

Cat Colonies 4003. Trap and Kill Jurisdictions 4014. Catch and Kill Jurisdictions 4025. Catch and Relocate Jurisdictions 4026. Local Laws Allowing Feral Cat Colonies 4027. Classifying Feral Cats as Pests 4038. Summary: Legal Considerations of Feral

Cat Colonies 404B. The Classic Clash of Birds and Cats: State of Texas

v. Stevenson 404C. Individual Animal Rescuer Liability 406

1. Is the Individual Rescuer Subject to the SameRegulations as an Animal Shelter for Careof Rescued Animals? 406a. How Long Must an Individual Rescuer

Keep an Animal Before Placing It? 407b. Lawsuits Regarding Ownership 407

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2. Consideration of State and Local Laws Addressingthe Individual Animal Rescuer 407a. Spaying and Neutering 407b. Number of Animals Allowed 407c. Vaccinations 408

3. Is the Individual Rescuer Subject to the SameLiability as the Rescue Organization? 408

XI. Probate Litigation Involving Animal Organizations 408A. Problems That May Arise When an Animal Organization

Is the Beneficiary in a Will 4081. Pretermitted Spouse Challenges Will Benefiting

Rescue Organization 4082. Capacity Challenged Regarding New Will in

Favor of Rescue Organizations 4093. Capacity Challenged Regarding New Will

Excluding Rescue Organization 4094. Will Benefiting Rescue Organization Challenged

Based on Improper Execution 4095. Relative Challenges Will Benefiting Rescue

Organization Based on Construction of Will 4106. Rescue Organizations Challenge Distribution

under a Will 410B. How an Animal Organization Can Preserve Its Rights

as a Beneficiary in a Will 411Appendices 412

A. Application for Adoption 412B. Adoption Contract 417C. Additional Contract Terms for Certain Breeds 421D. Short Adoption Contract Form (Limited Use) 423E. Owner Relinquishment Agreement 425F. Sample Feral Cat Colony Ordinance (Speedway, Indiana) 426

CHAPTER 9Remedies in Animal-Related Litigation 437Joan E. Schaffner

I. Introduction 438II. Damages 439

A. Compensatory 4391. Loss to the Animal 4402. Loss to the Owner 440

a. Economic Property Loss 440

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b. Noneconomic Property Loss 442c. Economic Consequential Loss 443d. Noneconomic Personal Loss to Owner 444e. State Statutes Allowing Recovery 445

i. Definition of "Pet" 446ii. Conduct Establishing Liability 446iii. Damages Allowed 446iv. Exemptions 447

B. Punitive or Exemplary Damages 447III. Restitution 448IV. Other Specific Relief 449

A. Injunctions 449B. Specific Performance 451

V. Attorneys' Fees and Ancillary Remedies 453A. Attorneys' Fees 453B. Ancillary Remedies 454

Appendices 455A. Selected Secondary Sources on Remedies in

Animal Law Cases 455B. List of Available Remedial Forms 456

CHAPTER 10Criminal Law 461Dana M. CampbellPamela D. Frasch

I. Introduction 463II. Common Types of Animal Cruelty Cases 463

A. Neglect 463B. Abuse 464C. Abandonment 466D. Sex Offenses 467E. Hoarders and Breeders 467F. Animal Fighting 469

G. Farmed Animal Cases 470III. Common Motions in Animal Cruelty Cases 470

A. Motion to Suppress Evidence 470B. Motion to Examine the Carcass or Other Evidence 471C. Motion for Particular Bail or Release Conditions 472

IV. Special Procedural and Other Unique Issues inAnimal Cruelty Cases 472A. Forfeiture or Foster Care until Trial, Costs of Care

in the Interim 472

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B. The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence 473C. Proving Ownership or Custody 475D. Proving Pain or Cause of Death 476E. Jury Issues 477

1. VoirDire 4772. Jury Instructions 477

V. Considerations for Plea Bargains and Sentencing inAnimal Cruelty Cases 477A. Creating a Criminal Record for the Defendant 477B. Jail Time and Suspended Sentences 478C. Community Service 478D. Restitution 479E. Counseling 479F. No-Contact Orders 480

VI. Identifying Cases in Your State 480A. Media 480B. Animal Shelters and Other Advocacy Groups 480C. Law Enforcement 481D. Identifying and Contacting the Appropriate

Prosecutor 481VII. Prosecutorial Discretion and Considerations 482

A. Felony or Misdemeanor Abuse 482B. Multiple Counts 482C. Related Counts 482D. Juveniles 483E. Resources Available to the Prosecutor 484

1. Follow-Up Investigations 4842. Laboratories and Other Scientific Tools 4853. Veterinarians and Other Expert Witnesses 4864. Visual Aids for Trial 487

VIII. Communication with the Prosecutor and Judge 488A. Prosecutors 488

1. Be Squeaky 4882. Be a Resource 4883. Be Prepared 488

B. Judges 489IX. Available Resources 489

A. Expert Witness Database 489B. Research 489C. Telephone Advice and Ideas from Prosecutors 490D. Other 490

X. Conclusion 490

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Appendices 490A. Sample Indictment 490B. Sample Subpoena Duces Tecum 503C. Sample Forfeiture Petition 504D. Sample Jury Voir Dire 508E. Sample Jury Instructions 517F. Sample Verdict 518G. Suggested Readings and Other Resources 519

CHAPTER 11Expert Witnesses 527Katherine C. Bloomquist

I. Introduction 527II. Choosing an Expert 528

A. The Expert's Qualifications 528B. Practical Pointers in Selection and Use of an Expert 532

III. Admissibility of Expert Witnesses 533IV. Expert Witnesses and the Emerging Daubert Standards 533

A. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc 533B. After Daubert 535

1. General Electric Co. v. Joiner 5362. Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael 5363. Federal Rule of Evidence 702 Amendment

in 2000 536C. Applicability o/Daubert to State Courts 536

V. Discovery of Experts 537A. Applicable Rules 537B. Practical Pointers in Conducting Discovery When

an Expert May Be Utilized 537

CHAPTER 12Practical Considerations for Attorneys Handling

Animal Law Cases 543Julie I. Fershtman

I. Introduction 544II. Unique Ethical Considerations 544

A. Rules of Ethics 544B. Civility and Professionalism 544

III. Evaluation of the Client's Goals and Expectations 545A. Considerations of Economics 545

1. Expense of Litigation Compared to Outcome 546

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2. Potential for Recovery of Legal Fees 5463. Potential for Opposing Party Being Insured 5474. Potential to Maximize Recovery by Invoking

a Statute 5475. Potential for Recovery of Emotional Distress

Damages 547B. Practical Considerations 547

1. Impact on Future Business Dealings 5472. Negative Publicity 5483. Potential for Counterclaims 548

IV. Litigating on a Shoestring 549V. Fee Agreements 549

A. Contingency 549B. Hourly 549C. Flat Fee 550

VI. Alternative Dispute Resolution 550VII. Settlements 551

Appendices 552A. Sample Letter Rejecting Potential Legal Matter 552B. Sample Retainer Agreement—Hourly Fee 553C. Sample Retainer Agreement—Contingency Fee 555D. Sample Agreement to Arbitrate 558E. Sample Settlement Agreement 561

Index 5 6 5