Law Prof Sees ‘Explosion of Interest’ in Animal Issues
Ninety ABA-approved law schools teach courses in animal law, up from only a handful that offered such classes a decade ago.
A Michigan State law professor, David Favre, tells USA Today the development is part of “an explosion of interest” in animal welfare issues. Just as law students in the 1970s were clamoring to get into environmental law classes, today they are expressing growing interest in animal law, he said.
Animal rights activists are also extending their influence in state legislatures. Lawmakers in 28 states are expected to consider tougher bans on cockfighting and dogfighting this year, and are expected to take up proposals to ban puppy mills in 13 states.
A proposed measure in New York would ban horse-drawn carriage rides, long a tourist favorite.
The ABA Journal talked to Favre in November’s “Beast Practices.”
Updated at 12:41 p.m. CT to indicate that 90 ABA-accredited law schools offer animal law courses.
