Results
| Title |
Author |
Citation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 The agency stated that the withdrawn guidance "should not be enforced or otherwise relied upon by the Department or stakeholders" and has removed these documents from the HUD.gov website.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 Utah Great Ape Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | The following article discusses Great Ape law in Utah.Utah does not have a law dealing with great apes, but addresses use and possession through regulations issued under the authority of the state’s Wildlife Resources Code. Additionally, only some great apes are protected under Utah’s anti-cruelty laws. The law prohibits both affirmative acts of cruelty such as torture or unjustified killing, and the failure to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody. Exceptions to the definition of “animal” exclude those animals owned or kept by a AZAA accredited zoological park or temporarily in the state as part of a circus or traveling exhibitor licensed by the USDA. |
| Overview of Recent Dog Breeding Laws (2010) | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides an overview of recently added or amended commercial breeder laws (from 2008 - 2010). On the whole, the new laws both mandate minimum standards of care for dogs at breeding facilities and place a limit on the number of dogs a breeder can maintain. |
| Summary of Emotional Support Animal Cases | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center | This document provides summaries of cases involving emotional support animals( ESAs). The specific issues decided by the courts range from breeds of dogs used for ESAs, the charging of fees or pet deposits, places an ESA can be taken, and use of an ESA in university housing, among many other topics. Links to the actual case are provided. |
| Overview of Laws Restricting the Age of Puppies for Sale | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This overview discusses state laws that place restrictions on the sale of young puppies. Approximately 15 states have enacted laws or administrative regulations that generally require puppies to be between 6 and 8 weeks prior to being offered for sale. |
| Brief Summary of Veterinary Malpractice | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This article provides an overview of the elements of a veterinary malpractice case, possible defenses to such an action, and issues related to professional licensing of veterinarians. |
| 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. |
| Overview of State Cruelty Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This summary describes some of the basic features of state cruelty laws with links to further discussions. |
| FAQ: Can I sell an old fur made from an endangered animal? | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
Dear Animal Legal & Historical Center, |
| Brief Summary of Local and State Dog Laws | Rebecca F. Wisch | Animal Legal & Historical Center |
This summary examines the nature and authority of state and local dog laws. It also describes the general subjects included in dog laws, such as loose dogs and impoundment procedures. The concept of preemption of local laws is also defined. |