The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2024

Today, it is estimated that there are 167 animal law courses in ABA-accredited law schools in the United States and Canada. 9 Add to these numbers the growing list of conferences dedicated solely to animal law, law school journals devoted to animal law and more than 30 legal sections in state and local bar groups nationwide, and the educational growth of animal law is substantial. Recently, the legal community in Oklahoma has begun seeing an increase in the interest in animal law. In June

2023, the OBA Board of Governors approved a petition submitted by association members to establish the OBA Animal Law Section. In the field of legal education, the OCU School of Law is now, and for the past several years has been, offering animal law courses to its law students, and the OU College of Law added an animal law course that began in the 2024 spring semester. All three Oklahoma law schools have animal law student chapters supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and share its mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. There are almost 200 student chapters in law schools nationwide. 10 The National Judicial College, located in Reno, Nevada, has also determined that there is a need to assist judges in understanding this rapidly growing area of law. In 2019, it created a webinar for America’s judges, “Animal Law 101,” an eight part course covering the broad areas of animal law. The course discussed anti-cruelty laws; civil law that covered animal injury (injuries to animals), personal injury (injuries by animals), pet custody (family law), products liability and pet trust; state and local ordinances; service, sup port and therapy animals; wildlife; animals in entertainment; and farm animals. 11 This was, in part, because of the growing number of animal law cases appearing in courtrooms across the United States. Legislation creating laws to meet the growing animal law litigation issues that the public is seeking answers to has been lacking in most states. An example is custody battles over the family pet or pets. Animals are universally viewed as property under the law, but today, more and more litigants see their pets as family members. They are

What we now call animal law began when attorneys consciously considered animal-related legal issues from the perspective of the animal’s interest, when they began to view the animal as the de facto client and where the goal was to challenge institutionalized forms of animal abuse and exploitation. In the 1990s, a rapid develop ment of the academic discipline of animal law began. At the begin ning of that period, there were but five animal law courses at law schools in the United States.

Author Gary Maxey with his dogs, Chewey and Beau

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

8 | MARCH 2024

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL