Prosecuting and Representing Animal Abusers and Caring for the Victims
When law enforcement found 49 abused pit bull terriers in a raid on football star Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels, they faced many challenges:
- When does inhumane treatment of dogs lead to major federal charges?
- How should prosecutors charge those who fostered dog fighting?
- How should lawyers defend a high-profile defendant?
- Who would oversee the process to determine the health and well-being of the dogs?
- How will the proceedings in this case impact future cruelty cases?
These were just a few of the issues addressed during a day-long seminar presented by the Animal Law Committee of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago.
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Audio Selections |
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Forensic Veterinary Medicine at Work: Case Histories
September 19, 2008 – Dr. Melinda Merck of the ASPCA explains how authorities investigate a variety of animal crimes, from hoarders to people who randomly torture animals, at the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference. Dr. Merck is introduced by Ledy VanKavage, Program Chair and Vice-Chair of the ASPCA's Animal Law Committee.
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Prosecuting the Michael Vick Case
September 19, 2008 – At the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference, Brian Whisler, Former Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, talks about his role as counsel in the successful prosecution of the Michael Vick Case, arguably the most high-profile animal abuse case ever.
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Defending a Dog Fighting Case
September 19, 2008 – At the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference, Claire Cardwell, a defense attorney voted one of Virginia's top criminal lawyers by her peers, details the struggle between being both a dog lover and a "lover of the Constitution."
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Lessons Learned as a Special Master/Guardian of the Vick Dogs
September 19, 2008 – Professor Rebecca Huss of Valparaiso University discusses the legal process for making sure that the Vick dogs are put in the appropriate hands, at the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference.
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Evaluating and Caring for the Victims – Where are They Now? Panel Discussion
September 19, 2008 – Dr. Pam Reid of the ASPCA, Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer of BAD RAP — Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, and Francis Battista of the Best Friends Animal Society, discuss the misconceptions about pit bulls and the challenges they face in acclimating them to society. This panel discussion was held at the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference.
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Prosecuting Animal Cruelty Cases – Panel Discussion
September 19, 2008 – At the ABA's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee conference, K. Michelle Welch of the Richmond, VA's Assistant Attorney General's Office talks about general legal issues relating to animal cruelty. Joining her on the panel is Jennifer Cifaldi, Assistant State's Attorney, Adam's County, Quincy, IL, who recites some extremely disturbing stories about neglected and abused animals.
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