RSS
LAW on YouTube and Facebook
April 25, 2010
LAW to Participate in UofT Anti-Vivisection Week
April 20, 2010
On Wednesday Aprll 21, 2010 the University of Toronto student group Students Against Climate Change will be hosting a series of lectures and a discussion on animal practices in science. The event is part of World Week for Animals in Laboratories and is one in a series of screenings and events in and around the University of Toronto campus.
The event will be taking place from 7-9PM at Hart House Music Room, 2nd floor, 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto and is free and open to the public.
Nick Wright, a lawyer and a founding director of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) will be speaking on the legal status of animals, how animal laws apply to science and the legal rights of students who decide not to use animals in the course of their studies.
Dr. David Sztybel, who received his doctorate from the University of Toronto in the area of animal rights ethics, is the author of several publications on the topic. He will give a presentation on the ethical arguments against the use of animals in science.
Tracy Tiefenbach, doctoral candidate in biochemistry and biomedical science at McMaster University, will give a presentation on the scientific arguments against the use of animals in science, as well as providing an overview of humane alternatives currently available.
A discussion will follow. For more information see the event facebook page.
Video from the event is now available on YouTube at THIS LINK.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
Peter Sankoff to Speak at McGill Faculty of Law
On Wednesday March 31st 2010 the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at McGill University will be hosting a talk by Peter Sankoff, professor of criminal law and animal law at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. The talk is entitled 'Back to Basics: Why the Welfare Construct Fails to Protect Animals from Suffering' and will provide an introductory look at the issues at the heart of the existing debate on how best to create a world for animals in which their legal interests matter.
When: Wednesday, March 31st 2010
5:30-7:00 pm
Where: McGill Faculty of Law, Room 312
3644 Peel Street, Montreal
Attendance is free. For more information contact [email protected].
The McGill Student Animal Legal Defense Fund is devoted to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at enhancing the welfare and legal status of nonhuman animals. Their projects include hosting speakers and debates on current issues affecting animals, conducting educational events, and assisting lawyers and organizations in promoting positive change through litigation.
March 2010 Law Symposium Announced
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at McGill University will be holding an animal law exhibit and symposium March 8-10, 2010 at the McGill Faculty of Law, 3644 Peel Street, Montreal, Canada.
The talks will explore the current state of animal welfare law in Canada and abroad. All talks are open to the public. For more information see their website at: www.saldf.ca.
Experts from three different countries will be speaking:
David Wolfson teaches animal law at Columbia Law School and NYU Law School. He has written extensively on animal law issues and has represented several prominent animal protection organizations, such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Farm Sanctuary and the Humane Society of the United States. Mr. Wolfson will be discussing the state of farm animal welfare law in North America.
Dr. Antoine Goetschel is the world’s first and only public animal welfare attorney. He represents the interests of animals in criminal cases as a public official in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland. Specializing in the field of human-animal relationships in the law since 1984, he has played a crucial role in the development of animal welfare legislation in Switzerland, as well as in Switzerland’s constitutional amendment to include protection for animals. Dr. Goetschel will be speaking on the recent developments in animal welfare legislation in Europe and Switzerland.
Alanna Devine is a graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law and the founder of the McGill chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF). She is currently the Director of Animal Welfare at the Montreal branch of the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) and has been particularly active in the fight against Quebec’s infamous puppy mills. Ms. Devine also serves on a provincial government committee that is considering amendments to Quebec’s animal welfare legislation. She will be discussing the state of companion animal law in Canada and Quebec.
The McGill Student Animal Legal Defense Fund is devoted to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at enhancing the welfare and legal status of nonhuman animals. Their projects include hosting speakers and debates on current issues affecting animals, conducting educational events, and assisting lawyers and organizations in promoting positive change through litigation.
Concerned Citizens Join Toronto Humane Society
Recently the Toronto Humane Society and Hospital has been in the news. A series of stories in the Globe and Mail have brought to light concerns about management practices. According to the Globe and Mail, in response to the concerns, officers from the Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) arrested the president, chief veterinarian and three senior managers, charging them with animal cruelty. According to the Toronto Star, in reponse to the charges the President intends to resign. The investigation into allegations of mismanagement at the shelter are ongoing. A group called the Association for the Reform of the Toronto Humane Society (ART) is campaigning for reform at the charity.
Some individuals seek to increase their involvement at the Toronto Humane Society in order to ensure that the animals at the shelter are well taken care of and that the organization fulfils its mandate "to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering."
One way that some people are choosing to get involved is by joining as members. Members residing or employed within a 60 Kilometer radius of the 11 River Street, Toronto headquarters are permitted to vote at members meetings.
Those who submit a membership form, pay a $30 annual membership fee and are approved as members by the board of directors become members of the organization. Upon acceptance members receive a membership package and card.
A membership form is available as a .pdf HERE.
Members of the organization wishing to call a membership meeting have been submitting the form located HERE.
LAW Announces 2010 Summer Internship Program
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INTERNSHIP POSITION FOR 2010 IS NOW FULL. CONGRATULATIONS SOPHIE GAILLARD.
January 9, 2010
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is accepting applications for one internship position for the period of May 1 – August 31, 2010.
Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in animal rights issues and activism, be able to work independently and be self-motivated. Preference will be given to candidates located in Toronto, Ontario. The position is unpaid and is for law students or recent law school graduates.
The nature of the position will be based on the interests of the successful candidate and will include legal research, campaign management and preparing grant applications.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and any other relevant supporting documentation to Nick Wright at ‘[email protected]’.
Due to the volume of applicants only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is an incorporated Registered Charity dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
LAW Extends Conscientious Objection Campaign to all Ontario Students
December 10, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has extended its conscientious objection program to all students in Ontario who refuse to experiment on animals during the course of their studies and who need assistance asserting their rights.
"Due to the success of our previous conscientious objection program LAW has decided to extend its offer of assistance to all students in Ontario who stand up for animals and the advancement of educational practices by refusing to harm and kill in the course of their studies. All students who need assistance asserting their rights are invited to contact us," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
Previously LAW has assisted veterinary science students assert their Ontario Human Rights Code right to accommodation based on creed. Many students feel pressured to harm animals during the course of their studies contrary to their beliefs out of fear of academic sanction for refusing to participate in animal experimentation.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
Europe Grants Animals Legal Status of Sentient Beings
Source: http://www.vegan.com/blog/2009/12/02/europe-grants-animals-legal-status-of-sentient-beings
(Vegan.com) - December 1st was a big day for animals in the European Union: for the first time, fish and farmed animals alike have gained the legal status of “sentient beings.” This victory promises to shape all future legal measures in Europe related to raising, transporting, and slaughtering animals.
It’s been a long time coming. Back in 1991, a campaign initiated by Compassion in World Farming got sentient being status mentioned in a non-binding treaty declaration. In 1997, sentience was bumped up to a treaty protocol, which carried some legal force. Now, this status has been granted in the main text of the Lisbon Treaty, which carries far more legal power.
I know that the previous paragraph is tediously written—as Bismarck noted, crafting laws is like making sausage, it’s best not to see it happen—but the gains won this year set vital precedent. Here’s how Philip Lymberry, who runs Compassion In World Farming, sums up the victory:
"I remember how our late founder dreamed of changing the EU’s underpinning Treaty to better address the status of animals. I remember how that goal was seen as impossible, impractical, by some, even laughable. Now that dream has come true. Now to make that other dream come true; an end to factory farming itself and its terrible travelling companion, the long distance transport of animals."
I say it all the time: the most important thing to understand about animal rights victories is that they’re all about precedent. This win not only advances the possibilities for animal protection in Europe, it will also give American activists a big push in seeking similar gains in the United States.
LAW Offers Help to Vet Student Conscientious Objectors
June 11, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has offered to assist all veterinary college students in Ontario that conscientiously object to harming, killing or performing unnecessary surgery on dogs or other animals during the course of their studies.
"It is unacceptable that a veterinary student that will not perform unnecessary surgery or harm or kill animals due to deeply held moral beliefs should still in some instances face the threat of academic sanction. LAW extends an offer to help all such students enforce their right to be free from discrimination based on creed," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
While some accomodations have been made for certain programs for veterinary students who conscientously object to harming animals, there are still instances where the threat of academic sanction exists for such students. All veterinary students in Ontario who seek the assistance of LAW are encouraged to contact the organization.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
LAW Receives Registered Charity Status
June 7, 2009
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has been registered by the Canada Revenue Agency as a Registered Charity, allowing the organization to issue deductable tax receipts for donations.
"It is an exciting day for LAW, by obtaining Registered Charity status LAW will be able to more effectively work towards its goals of advancing public knowledge of animal practices and ensuring the enforcement of existing animal protection laws," said Nick Wright, a founding director of the organization.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com