UVa seminar focuses on animal law
What can a fellow do if a dead deer is in his driveway? May a person shoot a goose or duck that is on his property?
These are just two of the wildlife issues that a group of University of Virginia School of Law students grappled with Thursday during its weekly “Animal Law 9040” seminar.
The course is part of UVa’s Bob Barker Animal Rights Program, which was started earlier this year with a $1 million contribution from the former host of “The Price is Right” and animal rights advocate.
Margaret “Mimi” Riley, a professor of law who has done scholarly work about animal issues, is teaching the course. Riley said the 15 second-year and third-year law students are learning about a broad spectrum of animal issues in the law, including animals as property, trust and estate issues, biomedical issues and animal cruelty.
Such issues have evolved more rapidly in recent years, she said.
“Part of that has involved some of the more notorious issues, like Leona Helmsley, but I think the way people regard animals has changed,” Riley said.
Although animal law is a growing subject area, Riley said, it’s usually part of a person’s larger legal career. Nina Marano, a third-year UVa visiting scholar, said she plans to tackle animal law issues after she opens her own practice near Adirondack Park in upstate New York.
Marano said learning more about how animals are treated has changed the way she shops at the supermarket.
“Having knowledge and information affects individual choices you make, which in the long run is the only way to make animal law effective,” Marano said.
Locally, animals and the law have intersected in dangerous dog and excessive barking cases. Melissa Wolf Riley, a lawyer who has been participating in the UVa seminar, represented an Albemarle County woman earlier this year whose dogs were accused of violating the county’s animal noise ordinance.
She said animal law has been highlighted as people have moved closer and closer together.
“There’s more conflict between people who have animals and people who don’t, whereas 50 years ago, except in urban areas, people were spread out a little bit more,” Melissa Riley said. “Barking dogs and dogs that bit people were not at the forefront like they are now.”
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Reader Reactions
NoisePollution, Of course a non-intelligent reply is necessary. It’s the only kind you can understand. Considering that you went from barking dogs to terrorist gas attacks in less than 24 hours. Sucks to be you!.
steve Based on your response, your thorough thought of this issue clearly clouds your head. Thus no intelligent reply expected from you. Have you stopped eating pork? I heard there is a pig flu going around. Also make sure you have enough duct tape and plastic for the windows! Never know when them terrorist are going to gas ya!
NoisePollution, your lack of respect for mother nature clearly clouds your definition of rural. You either live in an urban area or a housing area in the “rural area”. I don’t fear “country life”, but I do respect it. I live in an area that does have real wild life. Not the ones you place on your lawn during the holidays.
Steve, Barking in any area is a necessity and is not a bad thing. It is the length of time a person chooses to ignore their dogs that is the issue. Sure let fido chase the deer, bunnies, birds, cobras, grizzlies or whatever life threatening predators we fabricate in our minds. Yes, the list can go on and on but the barking really shouldn’t go on and on for hours…regardless how much land you own in Albemarle. btw - It really does sound like country life is not made for you if you fear nature that much. Have you consider moving to an urban area? 
@ NoisePollution. Barking dogs in a rural area is a necessity. My dogs bark at the large population of deer on my property. Which thankfully keeps them at bay. Helping to keep ticks, which carry lime disease, away from around my house. They also bark at the coyotes that run amuck out here. They keep the groundhogs away. Their dens are traps that break horses legs. They also inform me when someone is on my property. So, I can check to them out to see if they are illegally hunting on my property. The list goes on and on. BTW, dogs bark for a reason. Excessive barking has many meanings. Mostly it means trouble, either for the dog or its owner. Excessive barking should never be ignore and always investigated.
Wondering if you read the article, specifically—“Locally, animals and the law have intersected in dangerous dog and excessive barking cases. Melissa Wolf Riley, a lawyer who has been participating in the UVa seminar, represented an Albemarle County woman earlier this year whose dogs were accused of violating the county’s animal noise ordinance.“
I see your point. This article wasn’t about excessive barking it was about sewing machines.
Noise Pollution,
Umm….Maybe it doesn’t discuss the barking ordinance because it is not an article about the barking ordinance???
I think we can all agree dogs bark and should when there is a need. Perhaps we could also agree that there are limits that this alarm should be allowed. That being the case it befuddles me why Albemarle’s board of supervisors FAILED to provide equal protection to all peoples of Albemarle and provided protection to careless, inconsiderate, selfish, arrogant and lazy dog owners who allow their dogs to bark unchecked. Sally Thomas was obviously a failure on this issue based on cowardly advise she was given. To claim barking is part of rural character is like saying moonshine, cockfights and stray animals are part of rural character. Excessive barking DOES NOT enhance rural character nor should it be tolerated when it is excessive!
Cows, chickens, birds and horses are part of rural character.
I was hoping Ms.Riley would shed some light on why excessive dog baring is ok but once again the DP lacked any real substance.
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