In this video blog, I take a look at three recent cases which are Canada’s first efforts to permit therapy dogs into the courtroom. I then discuss why this is such a great idea, even if the legal reasoning in these cases could be criticized.
Animals have legal interests that must be protected
Opinion article by Camille Labchuk, Executive Director, Animal Justice, Huffington Post. Animals got their day in court last week, thanks to Animal Justice. On Monday, November 9, law professor Peter Sankoff and I went to the Supreme Court of Canada to intervene in a groundbreaking appeal. We spoke words that had never before been heard in court: “Animal Justice is …
Anita Krajnc Trial – Part 2: The Definition of Mischief (10mins)
In this video blog, which follows up on my lengthier analysis of the charges against activist Anita Krajnc, who gave water to a pig in transport, I assess whether the particularized charge against her – interfering with the enjoyment of the pig – can be established.
Anita Kranjc Trial: Mischief for Giving Pigs Water? (20mins)
The Anita Kranjc trial is underway, and it has already raised a host of good legal questions. I explore them in this video blog. What is she being charged with? What will the Crown need to prove? Does she have any possible defences?
The Anita Kranjc trial
Interview with Peter Sankoff in the Huffington Post Law professor Peter Sankoff is a respected expert in both criminal and animal rights law. So when animal activist Anita Krajnc was charged with criminal mischief for giving water to a heat-stressed animal aboard a transport truck last summer, Professor Sankoff naturally took an interest in the case. …more.
R vs DLW and the Crime of Bestiality (15mins)
This video looks at the Supreme Court’s recent decision in R v DLW, released in June 2016, which defined the offence of bestiality. In the blog, I spend the first half addressed the Court’s interpretative approach to criminal law statutes. In the second, I explain why I think the case is so positive for animal advocates.
Legislative Reforms to Help Animals: Overview (7mins)
In a video blog I put up earlier this year, I described the experiential learning component that I use in my course on Animals and the Law. It’s called the “Legislative Reform Proposal”, and it’s designed to give students a chance to see what they can do to “fix” the law governing the way animals are treated. Sixteen students came …
Bill C-246: Amendments to Canada’s Cruelty to Animals Provision (35mins)
In this video blog, I address some recent critique of Bill C-246, which aims to amend the animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code. The critique was written by Robert Sopuck, MP. In this video blog, I explain why the majority of criticisms don’t actually hold up to critical examination. In fact, many of them are downright preposterous.
Animals as Property in Criminal Cases – Part 2 (11mins)
In a follow-up to yesterday’s video blog, I concentrate on the Ontario legislation that is at the heart of the decision to euthanize 21 dogs seized in a dog fighting ring. Long story short: the law puts humane societies in a tough spot. We need better laws to make seizure a more palatable proposition, and allow the interests of animals …
Animals as Property in the Criminal Process (10mins)
In a recent case out of Ontario, the OSPCA has seized 23 dogs from a dog fighting ring and is now seeking a judicial order trying to have them all euthanized. Why would the OSPCA do this, especially when a number of dog rescue organizations have come forward volunteering to take the dogs and place them in homes outside of …
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2