Your Dog, Your Rights with Sara Chisnell-Voigt, UKC Legal Counsel Sara Chisnell-Voigt, UKC Legal Counsel Sara Chisnell-Voigt has a BA from Otterbein College in Equine Science, a JD from Michigan State University College of Law, has passed the bar in Kentucky and Michigan, and is a member of the Animal Law Section of the Michigan State Bar. Sara is owned by two German Shorthaired Pointers, a Weimaraner, a Border Collie, and an Australian Cattle Dog, and is active in dock jumping, disc, showing, and field training. What's happening NOW in the world of dog law |
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05/15/2013: There have been a recent string of unfortunate incidents that have befallen coon hunters, but could happen to any dogs in just about any hunting genre. |
Ways to get involved • Contacting Lawmakers
State and Federal Legislative Links
Partners in the Fight for Dog Owner Rights
04/10/2013: New legislative sessions are underway across the country, and a lot of legislation that affects dog owners has cropped up pretty fast. I’m keeping tabs on them all, but the majority will hopefully end up going nowhere. This month I’ll give you some highlights of what’s going on and trends around the country. |
03/18/2013: It’s been rather quiet on the legislative front, with most legislatures across the country just starting new sessions, but that will soon change. In the meantime, I’d like to talk about an issue that has recently come up around the water cooler here at UKC: renting as a dog owner, specifically an owner of certain breeds. |
The National Animal Interest Alliance’s Annual Conference 01/03/2013: For the fifth year in a row, I attended the National Animal Interest Alliance’s annual conference. It never fails that I learn something new each year. I was especially looking forward to this year’s conference as Temple Grandin, famed animal scientist, author and professor, was the keynote speaker. |
The Power of Rallying For Your Rights 11/09/2012: While things are somewhat quieting down on the legislative front, I had an opportunity to check in on the opposition. Several groups here in Michigan, including Michigan Humane Society and HSUS, and led by Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan, hosted “Pups Parade” for what they proclaimed as Michigan Puppy Mill Awareness Day of 2012. |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 10/11/2012: Although the proposed USDA/APHIS rule changes took the forefront this summer with regards to legislative action, it certainly has not been the only issue to take the stage. Breed specific legislation is still alive and the fight continues, and a few key battles over hunting rights are continuing. However, it seems that the USDA/APHIS changes got the attention it deserved. At last check, well over 15,000 comments had been submitted. |
Dog Law Issues
UKC Position on Breed Specific Legislation United Kennel Club believes that breed specific legislation is a poor choice for communities interested in protecting citizens from dog bites and attacks. Breed specific legislation, or BSL, is the singling out of a breed or breeds of dogs to take varying degrees of enforcement action against, in a weak attempt to reduce the numbers of dog attacks. The majority of BSL is directed at American Pit Bull Terriers, proudly our number two breed, but other breeds such as Rottweilers and Akitas are targeted as well. |
Taking a Bite Out of the Law: What Dog Owners Should Know About Liability for Injuries While none of us like to think about our dogs potentially causing injury to others, it is sadly a common occurrence and a possibility to any dog owner. Owners should be aware of potential legal ramifications, especially with the potential for expensive civil lawsuits. |
How Much is That Doggy in the Window? A Look at Legal Aspects of Dog Sales The pet industry is huge in this country, and the sale of dogs is a major portion of the industry. While most Americans consider their dogs their companions and part of the family, under the law they are considered ‘goods,’ and as such, really have no higher legal status than other goods, such as a car. However, the laws that govern transactions between sellers and buyers give them certain rights, protections, and responsibilities. This article aims to outline the legal rights and ramifications for both buyers and sellers of dogs to consider in their transactions. |
Taking a Bite Out of the Law: What Dog Owners Should Know About Liability for Injuries While none of us like to think about our dogs potentially causing injury to others, it is sadly a common occurrence and a possibility to any dog owner. Owners should be aware of potential legal ramifications, especially with the potential for expensive civil lawsuits. |
Pet Trusts: Plan For The Future Of Your Pet In today’s world, pets have become more like members of the family than just animals. Just as you would want to make sure your loved ones are cared for should something happen, so too should you make sure that your pets are cared for as well. |
Punish the Deeds, Not the Breeds: Beware of Breed Specific Laws The issues of dog bites and attacks in this nation have grown as urban populations increase, and more people own more dogs in more confined spaces. It has especially attracted media attention as the popularity of pit bull type dogs as a status symbol and also their role in dog fighting has increased incredibly over the past few years. States and municipalities have reacted by putting these two together and creating breed specific laws. |
DISCLAIMER: All posted articles are written with the intent to provide readers with information on dog law and are purely educational and informative in nature. They are in no way intended to be interpreted in any form as legal advice. Persons in need of legal help should seek attorneys licensed in their state for assistance.
