Results
| Title |
Author |
Citation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of Municipal Animal Control Ordinances | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This overview discusses the power of municipalities to enact ordinances. It then highlights some common subjects for animal care and control within municipal codes. |
| Detailed Discussion of South Carolina Great Ape Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | The following article discusses Great Ape law in South Carolina. In the state of South Carolina, there is no specific law that mentions great apes or contains an outright ban on private ownership of great apes. Any protection great apes receive in the state is due to their status as federally-protected endangered species. Regulations issued under the authority of the South Carolina Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act ban the possession of federally-listed endangered or threatened species except by scientific or conversation permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This would exclude many uses of apes in the private sector. Great apes are generally protected from intentional abuse and neglect under the state’s anti-cruelty law. However, this law excludes certain activities permitted under Title 50 of the state’s fish and game code such as scientific collection and zoological purposes. |
| Detailed Discussion of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Law Legal and Historical Center |
This article explores the history and text of the BGEPA. It further examines the relevant legal issues spawned by the Act, including free exercise challenges by Native Americans, the abrogation of treaty rights, commerce in eagle parts, and requisite intent for criminal prosecution under the Act. |
| FAQs on Emotional Support Animals | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formally withdrew two key guidance documents that housing providers relied upon to evaluate requests for service and assistance animals. These documents were FHEO Notice 2013-01 ("Service Animals and Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities in Housing") and FHEO Notice 2020-01 ("Assessing a Person's Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act"). According to HUD's memorandum, the withdrawal was part of a deregulatory initiative aimed at reducing compliance burdens and ensuring that guidance does not exceed what federal statutes actually require. The agency stated that the withdrawn guidance "should not be enforced or otherwise relied upon by the Department or stakeholders" and has removed these documents from the HUD.gov website. This Q and A part of this document are for historical purposes only and do not reflect current federal interpretation of federal law. |
| Detailed Discussion of South Dakota Great Ape Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | The following article discusses Great Ape law in South Dakota. Generally, in South Dakota, it is unlawful to possess a great ape in the state of South Dakota under the state’s endangered species law. Violation of that chapter is a misdemeanor.In the event that the endangered species law is bridged, South Dakota requires possessors of “captive nondomestic mammals” to obtain a permit. Additionally, great apes are generally protected from intentional abuse and neglect under the state’s anti-cruelty law. The law excludes properly conducted scientific experiments or investigations performed by personnel following guidelines established by the National Institute of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture |
| Overview of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This overview of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act provides annotations that link into a more detailed legal discussion of the Act. The summary reviews the historical underpinnings behind the passage of the Act and an examination of the major amendments to the original Act. Finally, the legal issues and controversies spawned by challenges to the Act are briefly summarized. |
| Emotional Assistance Animals in Rental Housing: A How-to Guide | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides some general information on how to seek help when a person needs an emotional support animal to function in daily life and a landlord enforces a "no pets" policy. |
| Sale of Companion Animals by Breeders and Retailers | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article explores the remedies available to purchasers of diseased or otherwise unfit cats and dogs. The relevant state statutes are discussed as well as general contract principles under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. |
| FAQ: Veterinary Malpractice | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides a short reader-based FAQ on veterinary malpractice. |
| Detailed Discussion of Assistance Animal Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This discussion examines the federal service animal provisions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the relevant states. In doing so, states' equal access, criminal interference, and white cane laws are examined in addition to other laws. |