As we ring in 2011, here’s a quick recap of 10 facts and lessons from last year’s posts:
- Although federal law only requires labeling of fur garments, Virginia law actually prohibits garments made of dog or cat fur.
- The ADA definition of “service animal” is changing to limit service animals to basically only dogs.
- The videos involved in the US v. Stevens First Amendment case involved depictions of dog fighting, not animal crush videos.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association just changed the veterinarian’s oath to include animal welfare and the prevention of animal suffering.
- The Lynchburg Fire Department honored a search and rescue dog it recently lost by distributing pet oxygen masks on rescue vehicles.
- An appellate court in Wales just upheld legislation banning shock collars.
- Suffolk County, New York was the first jurisdiction to establish a public Animal Abuser Registry.
- Many home owner insurance carriers charge higher premiums or even exclude coverage for animal liability if the household contains a dog such as a pit bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky, Chow or Akita.
- Many Northern Virginia jurisdictions limit each household to three dogs, and require a kennel license for more than three dogs.
- A California Court of Appeals decision determined that the “exigent circumstances” exception the warrant requirement can include protection of the life of an animal.
May 2011 be peaceful, positive and prosperous for you and your loved ones!
Companion Animal Law Blog 
