MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL OF LAW at ANDOVER
SYLLABUS for Animal Law – Spring 2013
Professor Holly Vietzke
Instructor:
Professor Vietzke
Email: holly@mslaw.edu Phone: 978.681.0800 ext. 139
Text:
Animal Law Cases and Materials (Fourth Edition)
- Waisman/Frasch/Wagman/
Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.
Purpose
Animal law is a broad and rapidly expanding field and is an integral part of
& Course
social policy and the law. The course provides diverse examples of cases and
Description: circumstances in which the unique aspects of animals and law converge and
should stimulate thought about recurrent animal law themes.
Grading &
Criteria1:
In-class presentation: Worth 10 points
Project: Worth 25 points – Animal Law Symposium, Saturday, March 30
Final: Worth 65 points
ASSIGNMENTS DUE FOR EACH CLASS
Topics
Page Numbers
Class 1
01/22
What is an Animal? Defining “Animal”
03-24
Class 2
01/24
“Domestic” Animals & Livestock
24-49
Class 3
1/29
Property and Beyond: The Evolution of Rights Slaves, Women, Children, Mental Incompetents,
Potential Humans, Nonhumans
51-81
Class 4
01/31
Criminal Law: Historical Perspective; Overview
of State Anti-Cruelty Statutes; Affirmative Acts
of Cruelty
83-122
Class 5
02/5
Criminal Law (cont'd): Failure to Act, Animals
in Sport & Entertainment
122-157
Class 6
02/7
Criminal Law (cont'd): Animal Fighting; Other
Cruelty Issues
157-189
Class 7
02/12
Torts: Emotional Distress; Intentional Torts;
Fourth Amendment Claims; Product Liability
191-215
1
Final course grade may be lowered for excessive absences.
Class 8
02/14
Veterinary Malpractice; Damages & Valuation
215-235
Class 9
02/19
Damages & Valuation (cont'd)
235-264
Class 10
02/21
Torts (cont'd): Competing Interests; Strict Liability &
Negligence
264-297
Class 11
02/26
Constitutional Law: Legal Standing, Justiciability &
Other Limiting Doctrines
299-325
Class 12
02/28
Legal Standing, Justiciability & Other Limiting
Doctrines (cont'd)
325-362
Class 13
03/5
Due Process – Challenges and Claims; First
Amendment
362-388
Class 14
03/7
Freedom of Speech
Slaughtered For Food
388-418
SPRING BREAK MARCH 10 – MARCH 16
Class 15
03/19
Commercial Uses of Animals: Animals Raised and
Slaughtered for Food
419-445
Class 16
03/21
Commercial Uses of Animals (cont.)
445-483
Class 17
03/26
Commercial Uses (cont'd): Humane Slaughter Acts
483-506
No Class
03/28
Get Ready for Animal Law Day
Class 18
03/29
Set up for Animal Law Day
Class 19
03/30
Animal Law Symposium
No Class
04/2
Relax! Thanks for your hard work at Animal Law Day
Class 20
04/4
The Animal Welfare Act and Animals in Research
506-528
Class 21
04/9
Other Commercial Uses of Animals
528-550
Class 22
04/11
Contracts: Landlord/Tenant Disputes and Other
Housing Issues; Condominium Law
551-575
Class 23
04/16
Contracts (cont'd): Custody Disputes; UCC;
Insurance
575-592
Class 24
04/18
Wills and Trusts: Validity of Will Provisions
Providing for the Destruction of Companion
Animals Upon Testator’s Death; Validity of Will
Provisions Providing for the Care of Companion
Animals Upon Testator’s Death: Historical Perspective
593-619
Class 25
04/23
Wills & Trusts (cont'd): Companion Animal Trusts
Under Modern Statutes
619-637
Class 26
04/25
Selected Federal Statutes; Endangered Species Act
639-662
Class 27
04/30
National Environmental Policy Act
663-681
Class 28
05/2
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Wild Free-Roaming
Horses & Burros Act; Animal Damage Control Act
681-713