Animal Law.

• Author: Hoyt, Peggy
• Position: Annual Reports of Sections and Divisions of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

The Animal Law Section (ALS) remains one of the newest and most exciting sections of The Florida Bar. The 2018-2019 year represents our third year in existence. We are continuing to build momentum as Bar members become more familiar with our mission and platforms. We hold the belief that every member of the Bar who loves animals of any kind should become an active member of the ALS.

The ALS is open to all--this includes lawyers and nonlawyers who may join our section as law students, paralegals, law enforcement, and others involved in animal welfare or other animal-related activities.

This year has certainly been exciting! One of our proudest moments was in November with the overwhelming approval of ballot Amendment 13. The ALS actively participated in the entire process. The ALS was approved to lobby the Constitutional Revision Commission, which placed the amendment on the ballot. When the language was challenged in court, the ALS participated as amicus curiae in the litigation that successfully kept the amendment on the ballot. The ALS provided arguments from the trial court all the way through the Florida Supreme Court's review. When the amendment was approved for inclusion, members of the ALS worked hard at educating the public about the initiative and the inherent cruelty in greyhound dog racing. Amendment 13 effectively phases out greyhound dog racing in Florida, forever. The ban will be complete by the year 2020, but tracks are already starting to close in response to the phase-out. Florida was home to more than two-thirds of the remaining dog tracks in the United States. Members of the ALS and others continue to work with greyhound rescue organizations to find forever homes for all displaced dogs.

In addition, the ALS continues to be actively involved in the legislative process. For the 2019 legislative session, the ALS has taken the following legislative positions:

1) Support legislation that will a) eliminate a prohibition on veterinarians who report cases of animal cruelty to the authorities; b) prohibit the practice of pet leasing; c) require continuing education for technicians that conduct dog and cat euthanasia; and d) clarify that animals imported by shelters are required to have a health certificate.

2) Support legislation that would increase the penalty for crimes committed against a police, fire, or search and rescue dog. This legislation also provides protection for horses involved in police work.

3) Oppose legislation...