Under the Lacey Act, it’s unlawful to import, export, sell, acquire, or purchase fish, wildlife or plants that are taken, possessed, transported, or sold: In violation of US or Indian law. The information was collected in 2017, identifying which states ranked best, worst, and somewhere in between. After review, if your question remains unanswered, please contact our Humane Investigations team. For the 13th year in a row, Illinois takes first place with the strongest state animal protection laws — followed by Oregon (2), Colorado (3), Maine (4), and Rhode Island (5). 102 of 1972 (with effect from 05 July 1972 - see title GENERAL LAW AMENDMENT ACTS) Animals Protection Amendment Act, No. The following links will provide you with information on animal welfare related laws, statutes and codes. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard. 2, has increased penalties when abuse is committed in the presence of a minor and can restrict someone’s future ownership of animals upon conviction. For the 10th year in a row, Illinois is in first place—followed by Oregon (2), California (3), Maine (4), and Rhode Island (5). The state also details comprehensive laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. ANIMALS PROTECTION ACT NO. The Animal Legal Defense Fund assembled a document which details every law, in every state or territory in the United States and Canada, which details the animal protection laws, definitions, and statutes pertaining to the welfare of animals.. Every animal advocate should be armed with facts. The Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes an annual report ranking the best and worst states for animal protection laws. [1] The United States of America is the only country in the world that has banned killing horses for consumption, and India is the only country to have banned killing cows for consumption in some of its states. Beyond felony provisions, states also differ in how they treat repeat offenders, “hot car” regulations and other laws involving the safety of animals. Illinois has increased penalties for repeat animal abusers, requires counseling for certain offenders, and law enforcement officers are allowed to rescue animals trapped in hot cars, according to the report. Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Make Animal Cruelty a Felony, The Major Benefits of Adopting an Adult Dog, Dogs Carry A Surprising Variety Of Flu Viruses, Go Raw, LLC Recalls One Lot of Quest Beef Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk, Puppy Loses Ear After Grooming Appointment At TN Petco, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Science Diet Dog Food Recall Expands to Include 44 Varieties, Bacterial Disease Sickening Dogs in Colorado Can Spread to Humans, Vet Says, Marine Vet Thrown Out Of Pittsburgh Bar For Bringing In His Service Dog. 1 Civil codes provisions giving a new status to animals recognize the sentient nature of animals and/or extract them from the category of things (however they are still subjected to the property regime) 2 Constitutional principles are key provisions recognizing a duty of the State, province or city toward animal beings. As of 2019, 22 states have enacted Pet Purchaser Protection Acts, which are commonly known as Puppy Lemon Laws, for the purpose of exactly what the name implies: purchaser protection. Lay Down the Law (What to do about animal protection laws in your state) ASPCA. “Is the animal required because o… Rhode Island 6. Ask your librarian, elected officials, humane society or local prosecutor’s office for help. [1] Starting in the late 1820s, a number of states passed anti-cruelty statutes. Those important principles (e.g: compassion, dignity etc.) You may have found full grown adults stoning and harming stray dogs, shooting innocent birds and leaving completely harmless animals to starvation and death, or seen companies illegally experimenting their products on animals, animals being mistreated and harmed for entertainment in zoos and parks, men carrying an unimaginable number of cattle in a cart or truck, beating them and overloading them, and wondered if there is … Top Tier—3 strengths & 2 weaknesses Poochy And Zoey Inc., A Trademarked Brand. It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Bottom of the barrel: Kentucky, North Dakota, Idaho, Iowa and South Dakota. There are only a few federal laws for animal welfare, and the rest is left for cities and counties to pass ordinances. Every state and territory, regardless of rank, has room for improvement. And, in interstate or foreign commerce involving any fish, wildlife, or plants obtained in violation of State or foreign law. Florida lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would make animal abuse a federal offense. For the 11th year in a row, Illinois took the top spot in the ranking. © Copyright 2014-2020. Oregon, ranked No. This anti-cruelty law permits federal charges to be brought against individuals for fighting animals even if local authorities fail to bring charges—so long as any of the animals were brought from another state or the fighting event was even advertised in a state other than the one where the fight occurred. 1. The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966. SAN FRANCISCO—The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s preeminent legal advocacy organization for animals, released the 12th annual year-end report (2017) ranking the animal protection laws of all 50 states. Six countries currently ban the use of great apes for scientific research, and Austria is the only country in the world to ban experiments on lesser apes. New Mexico , … In 2009, Bolivia became the first country to banish animal abuse and harm in circuses. Stacker examines animal rights law and its enforcement across all 50 states, ranking each state according to data from an advocacy organization. State animal protection laws are primarily concerned with companion animals, though there are also some state wildlife protection laws. Maine, Colorado and Massachusetts round out the five best states for animals. Thinkstock. This law states that the only two questions staff are allowed to ask about a service animal are: 1. Each of the 50 states now has a felony animal cruelty law on the books. There are some service animal laws that are federal and all 50 states must uphold them. Kentucky prohibits veterinarians from reporting suspected cruelty or fighting, and the state has no laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. Social reformers and ministers became attentive to the status of animals during the Second Great Awakening (1790–1840). Kentucky prohibits veterinarians from reporting suspected cruelty or fighting, and the state has no laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. How tough are the animal protection laws in your state? The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s preeminent legal advocacy organization for animals, released the 12th annual year-end report (2017) ranking the animal protection laws of all 50 states. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) recently released its 12th annual ranking of the United States in terms of animal protection laws. Farmed animals and animals used in laboratories are often excluded from state animal protection laws, as are wildlife in some contexts. The Animal Law Resource Center provides information on laws/statutes for all 50 states and the federal government regarding animals, including animal control, animal cruelty, animal research, service and police animals, animals used in agriculture, animals used in entertainment, companion animals, animals used for education, veterinarians, and wildlife. Additionally, the state can issue protective orders for animals and courts can order people to forfeit their animal pre-conviction. Oregon 3. 7 of 1972 California 4. All Rights Reserved. In some cases, enforcement does not happen at all. Several states have strengthened their laws to protect dogs, cats, and other pets from different kinds of mistreatment and neglect. It has been proposed that the United Nations pass the first resolution recognizing animal rights, the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, which acknowledges the importance of the sentience of animals and human responsibilities towards them. Michigan 7. The ALDF has released its 2014 report that ranks all U.S. territories, including the top 5 best and worst. Main foie gras-producing countries and regions, Shark finning is banned, with extra restrictions, Shark finning is not banned, but there are restrictions, Shark finning is legal without restriction, Killing animals for fur is partially illegal, Killing animals for fur is legal, but importing or selling fur is illegal, Killing animals for fur is legal, but strict anti-cruelty regulations make fur farms uneconomic, Killing animals for fur is legal and active, Nationwide ban on all cosmetic testing on animals, Partial ban on cosmetic testing on animals, Ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, No ban on any cosmetic testing on animals, Nationwide ban on bullfighting, but some designated local traditions exempted, Bullfighting with killing bulls in the ring legal (Spanish style), Nationwide ban on cockfighting, but some designated local traditions exempted, Nationwide ban on dolphinariums/marine mammal captivity, De facto nationwide ban on dolphinariums/marine mammal captivity due to strict regulations, Some subnational bans on dolphinariums/marine mammal captivity, Dolphinariums/marine mammal captivity are currently being phased out ahead of a nationwide ban, Dolphinariums/marine mammal captivity legal, Nationwide ban on all animal use in circuses, Ban on the import/export of animals for circuses, Goose pulling discontinued; live goose pulling until 20th century, Dead goose pulling; live goose pulling banned in 20th century, Dummy and dead goose pulling; local bans on dead goose pulling in 21st century, Dummy goose pulling; live goose pulling banned in 20th century, dead goose pulling banned in 2019, Partial - support from various internal departments, Partial - support from the Minister for Agriculture, Partial - support from the Minister for Food, Partial - support from the Animal Welfare Board, Partial - support from the Minister for Resources, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 01:01. Here, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has highlighted some strengths and weaknesses in each jurisdiction’s animal protection laws.The number of strengths or weaknesses listed varies based upon the jurisdiction ’s rank as follows:. Following an October U.S. House of Representatives vote, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and... read more, The idea that an adult dog is somehow "damaged goods" as an adoption prospect is strangely pervasive, especially among... read more, Some dogs in China carry a mixed bag of influenza viruses. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has released it’s 11th annual report that ranks the animal protection laws of the 50 states and for the ninth year in a row, Illinois is the front-runner in strong laws that protect and defend animals, followed closely by Oregon, Maine, California and Rhode Island. Sorry, you have Javascript Disabled! State strengths and weaknesses. There are also some minor provisions about commercially bred and sold animals like dogs at puppy mills. Maine 5. Dr.... read more, PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and suffers post-traumatic stress disorder was thrown out of... read more. What also makes some of these states the best for animal protection laws is that four of them—Illinois, Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts—have laws that allow animal possession bans for a person who has been convicted of animal cruelty. New Mexico, Wyoming, Iowa and Mississippi join Kentucky at the bottom of the ranking list. This law mostly deals with zoo animals and lab research animals. According to World Animal Protection, the New Zealand Animal Welfare Strategy states that animals are sentient, therefore, all should refer to their pain, distress, and their behavioral needs. Colorado. For the 10th year in a row, Illinois is in first place—followed by Oregon (2), California (3), Maine (4), and Rhode Island (5). New Jersey 10. [2][3][4][5], This article is about current animal rights around the world. Best states overall: Illinois heads the top five, followed by Maine, Michigan (except for Detroit), Oregon and California. The Animal Legal Defense Fund provides much of the primary source data and links are provided for each state to further information about their specific laws. Click here to download the Animal Protection Laws compendium. The Animal Defense Legal Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, released a report in January ranking states by the strength of their animal protection laws. For example, in some states, cruelty, neglect, fighting, sexual assault and abandonment of animals all result in felony charges. The Animal Welfare Act requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale and research. Obtain copies of existing laws for your area. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is out with its annual rankings on the best and worst states when it comes to laws that protect animals from cruelty. Illinois 2. In fact, many laws now require pet owners to meet detailed standards of care for their companion animals. In 2014, the Jain pilgrimage destination of Palitana City in Indian state of Gujarat became the first city in the world to be legally vegetarian. The ADA protects service dogs and their handlers. It has banned buying and selling meat, fish, and eggs, as well as related jobs, such as fishing and animal farming. For the philosophy and history of animal rights, see, Topics (overviews, concepts, issues, cases), Media (books, films, periodicals, albums), World laws pertaining to animal sentience, World laws on killing cats for consumption, World laws on killing cattle for consumption, World laws on killing dogs for consumption, World laws on killing horses for consumption, World laws on stunning animals during ritual slaughter, World laws on dolphinariums / marine mammal captivity, Laws banning the use of animals in circuses, Legality of zoophilia by country or territory, Legality of primate use in scientific research, These countries have pledged to support the, killing cows for consumption in some of its states, Animal welfare and rights in the Netherlands, Animal welfare and rights in South Africa, European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, Overview of discretionary invasive procedures on animals, "The perfect storm: How the Bolivian Ban on Animal Circuses was won", "Culture / society | Worldcrunch - Real news. If the animal protections laws in your city, your county or your state aren’t strong enough, do something about it! But in other states, felonies only result from the abuse of certain types of animals. The Great Ape Project is currently campaigning to have the United Nations endorse a World Declaration on Great Apes, which would extend to non-human great apes the protection of three basic interests: the right to life, the protection of individual liberty, and the prohibition of torture. True sources. The first known animal welfare laws in North America were regulations against "Tirranny or Crueltie" toward domestic animals included in the 1641 Massachusetts Body of Liberties. If the bill – a bipartisan effort backed by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan – is passed, people charged with harming animals will face fines and up to seven years in prison, according to The New York Times. frozen bags of “Quest Beef Cat Food” because... read more, CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WTVC) -- A dog owner from Old Fort, Tennessee took her pup to get groomed at a... read more, April 7, 2019 — Thogersen Family Farm of Stanwood, WA is voluntarily recalling raw frozen ground pet food because... read more, March 20, 2019 — Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding its voluntary recall of canned dog food products due to... read more, A bacterial disease that can spread to humans is reportedly sickening dogs in Colorado, a veterinarian in the state recently said. Minnesota state laws relevant to animals. Seriously international", "In India, The World's First Vegetarian City", "Jain monks want a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food", "OIE standards on animal welfare: OIE - World Organisation for Animal Health", "ANIMAL WELFARE IN OIE MEMBER COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES IN THE SADC REGION", "European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - 934th Council meeting Agriculture and Fisheries Brussels, 23 March 2009", "Animals Matter campaign goes from strength to strength", "Animal laws in the world at national level - GlobalAnimalLaw.org", "Costa Rica makes animal welfare a presidential matter", "Costa Rica | Animal Legal & Historical Center", "Egypt: Lack Of Animal Laws, Animal Abuse, And Pet Cruelty - Global Animal", "28/7/08 - Fiji to support Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) - Fiji Government Online", "PROTECTION OF ANIMALS ACT 1954 - Laws of Fiji", "SPCA Hong Kong.. - Animal Cruelty and HK Law", "Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan - "Adilet" ILS", "Mongolia update Legislative Developments", "Dog meat Sausage Scandal Grips Morocco as Owners Fight Law Banning Aggressive Breeds", "The Criminal Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2009", "Noway - Cruelty - Norwegian Animal Welfare Act (2010) | Animal Legal & Historical Center", "LEY Nº 4840 DE PROTECCION Y BIENESTAR ANIMAL", "MEWA Prohibits 8 Practices of Animal Cruelty in Saudi Arabia", Animal rights in Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, Moral status of animals in the ancient world, University of California, Riverside 1985 laboratory raid, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals, Moral Inquiries on the Situation of Man and of Brutes, An Introduction to Animals and Political Theory, Same-sex marriage (laws and issues prohibiting), Anti-cultural, anti-national, and anti-ethnic terms, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, An Essay on Abstinence from Animal Food, as a Moral Duty, Thirty-nine Reasons Why I Am a Vegetarian, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Animal_rights_by_country_or_territory&oldid=995813778, Articles with dead external links from September 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing potentially dated statements from November 2019, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, No official recognition of animal sentience or suffering, Anti-cruelty laws partially meet OIE standards, Partial support for the proposed declaration, Has not given support for the proposed declaration, Nationwide phaseout of battery cages in progress, Grinding chicks illegal, gassing chicks legal (Switzerland), Planned ban on all chick culling by 2022 (Germany and Spain), Planned ban on grinding chicks by 2022 (France). 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