Litigating Animal Law Disputes

Transcription

1 Litigating Animal Law Disputes A Complete Guide for Lawyers JOAN SCHAFFNER AND JULIE FERSHTMAN EDITORS TOUT TRIAL & INSURANCE PRACTICE StCTION Defending Liberty Pursuing justice

2 in TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Editors About the Contributors PREFACE Animal Law: A Significant Journey Barbara J. Gislason ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxi xxiii xxxi xxxix CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 Joan E. Schaffner Julie I. Fershtman I. Overview 1 II. "Animal Law" 2 III. Ligating Animal Law Disputes 3 CHAPTER 2 Negligence and Tort Law 7 Julie I. Fershtman I. Introduction 8 II. Basic Elements 9 III. Theories of Liability 10 A. Common Law Animal's "Vicious or Dangerous Propensities" Negligent Supervision or Instruction Gross Negligence and Willful and Wanton Misconduct Premises Liability Strict Liability Products Liability Trespass of Animal 14

3 iv CONTENTS 8. Res Ipsa Loquitur Attractive Nuisance Negligence Per Se 15 B. Statutory Strict Liability and Dog-Bite Statutes Animal Running at Large Statutes Equine Activity Liability Statutes Federal Tort Claims Act Civil Rights Laws and Section IV. Defenses 20 A. Reasonable Care Exercised by Defendant 20 B. Assumption of Risk 21 C. Comparative and Contributory Negligence 22 D. Waivers, Releases of Liability, and Exculpatory Agreements 23 E. Sovereign Immunity 24 V. Intentional Torts 24 A. Practical Considerations in Bringing Intentional Tort Claims 24 B. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress 25 VI. Litigation 26 A. Early Case Considerations 26 B. Statutes of Limitation 26 C. Discovery Depositions Interrogatories Document Requests Subpoenas Requests for Admission Expert Witnesses 29 D. Proving Damages Injured People Injured Animals 30 E. Trial Strategy 31 Appendices 31 A. Checklist for Evaluation of a Loose Livestock Case 31 B. Sample Complaint in an Equestrian Personal Injury Case 32 C. Sample Affirmative Defenses in an Equine-Related Personal Injury Case 39 D. Sample Plaintiff's Interrogatories to Defendant in a Personal Injury Case 40

4 Contents v E. Sample Defendant's Interrogatories to Plaintiff in an Equestrian Personal Injury Case 48 F. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Bailment and Negligence Case Arising from a Boarded Horse That Became Loose and Died 54 G. Sample Answer to Complaint in a Breach of Bailment and Negligence Case Arising from a Boarded Horse That Became Loose and Died 61 H. Sample Complaint in a Dog-Bite Case 65 /. Sample Answer and Defenses in a Dog-Bite Case 67 CHAPTER 3 Ownership, Custody, and Keeping of Animals 81 Stacy L. Kelly I. Introduction: Animals as Personal Property 82 II. Owner or Guardian 83 III. Custody and Possession of Animals 84 A. In the Event of Separation or Divorce Custody Visitation Damages Clause 86 B. Lost and Found Animals 86 C. Abandoned Animals Generally In Cases of Emergency or Disaster 88 D. Seized Animals 88 IV. Planning for the Continued Care of Pets 88 A. Power of Attorney 89 B. Bequest in a Will Unconditional Bequest Conditional Bequest Pet Trusts 91 C. Inter Vivos Pet Trusts Statutory Pet Trusts Factors to Consider in Creating Pet Trusts 95 a. Select and Designate Trustee 95 b. Select and Designate Caregiver 95 c. Identify Animals 96 d. Identify Standards of Care and Living 97 e. Establish Duties and Powers of Trustee 97 i. Inspection of Animal 97 ii. Liability Insurance 97

5 vi CONTENTS iii. Health Insurance 98 iv. Accounting 98 f. Calculate Amount Needed to Fund Trust 98 g. Specify Distribution Method 99 h. Determine Distributions for Beneficiary/ Caretaker 99 i. Determine Trustee Compensation 100 j. Consider Requiring a Bond 100 k. Consider Including Exculpatory Clauses Specify Duration of Trust 100 m. Provide Instructions for Disposition of Animal at Death 101 n. Select and Designate Remainder Beneficiary Options for Pet Owners Residing in States with No Pet Trust Statute 102 a. Trust for Human Beneficiary with Pet Care Authorized 102 b. Use of Pet Trust Statute of Another State 102 D. Euthanasia of Pet upon Death of Owner 102 V. Bailment Agreements 103 A. Bailment Defined 103 B. Types of Bailment 103 C. Elements of Bailment 104 D. Bailee's Defense 104 E. Bailment and Pets 105 F. Damages 106 Appendices 106 A. Sample Testamentary Animal Trust 106 B. Sample Inter Vivos Animal Trust 109 C. Sample Bailment Complaint 112 D. Sample Requests for Production to Defendant 114 E. Sample Interrogatories to Defendant 115 F. Sample Requests for Admissions to Defendant 116 G. Sample Questions for Plaintiff's Expert Deposition 116 CHAPTER 4 Veterinary Malpractice 127 Gregory M. Dennis I. Overview 128 A. Veterinary Law Generally 128 B. Brief History of Veterinary Malpractice Law 128 C. Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship 128

6 Contents vii II. Types of Claims Asserted against Veterinarians 129 A. Legal Standard of Care Applicable to Other Professionals Also Applies to Veterinarians 130 B. Required Elements for Veterinary Malpractice Negligence on the Veterinarian's Part Is Not Presumed Veterinarians Have a Wide Range of Discretion in Exercising Veterinary Medical Judgments 132 C. Standing to Maintain a Veterinary Malpractice Action 133 D. Comparative Fault and Contributory Negligence 133 E. Res Ipsa Loquitur 135 III. Requirement of Expert Testimony to Establish Veterinary Malpractice 136 A. Daubert and Veterinary Expert Witnesses 144 B. Expert Testimony Must Indicate Not Only Professional Error, but That Error Caused Injury 145 C. Common-Knowledge Exception 147 D. Professional versus Ordinary Negligence 149 E. Reading Veterinary Books or Texts Alone Is Not Sufficient 150 IV. Additional Considerations 150 A. Statute of Limitations 150 B. Long-Arm Jurisdiction over Out-of-State Veterinarians 151 C. Governmental Immunity 152 D. Veterinary Good Samaritan Laws 153 E. Informed Consent and Owner Consent 154 V. Special Issues 156 A. Liability for the Transmission ofzoonotic or Parasitic Diseases from Animals to Humans 156 B. Liability for Transmission of Diseases between Animals 158 C. Client Injuries from Animals under Treatment 161 D. Extralabel and Off-Label Use of Drugs 163 VI. Damages Recoverable in Veterinary Malpractice Actions 164 VII. Conclusion 166 VIII. Pleadings and Discovery 166 CHAPTER 5 Animal-Related Contract and Sales Disputes 199 Julie I. Fershtman I. Introduction 200 II. Common-Law Issues 200 A. Bailments 200

7 viii CONTENTS B. Fraud or Misrepresentation 202 C. Breach of Fiduciary Duties 203 D. Replevin 204 III. Statutory Issues 204 A. Uniform Commercial Code and Breach of Warranties Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability Breach of Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose Breach of Express Warranty Monetary Damages in Breach of Warranty Claims Rescission Defenses to Warranty Claims 207 B. Consumer Protection and Deceptive Trade Practice Statutes 208 C. Special Pet Purchase Protection Statutes 209 IV. Other Defenses 209 A. No Reliance 209 B. Statements of "Puffing" Are Not Actionable 209 C. Statute of Frauds 209 D. Animal Was Sound Prior to Sale 210 V. Litigation Strategies 210 A. Counterclaims 210 B. Interrogatories and Document Requests By Buyer's Counsel to the Defendant Seller By Seller's Counsel to the Plaintiff Buyer 211 C. Depositions 211 D. Trial 212 Appendices 212 A. Sample Demand Letter in an Equine Sale Dispute 212 B. Sample Response to Demand Letter in an Equine Sale Dispute 215 C. Sample Complaint in a Sales Fraud Case 219 D. Sample Affirmative Defenses in a Sales Fraud Case 233. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case 235 F. Sample Answer and Counterclaim in Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case 237 G. Sample Complaint in a Breach of Bailment Case 241 H. Sample Answer and Affirmative Defenses in a Breach of Bailment Case 246 I. Sample Interrogatories from Plaintiffs to Defendants in an Equine Sale Case 252

8 Contents ix /. Sample Defendant's Interrogatories to Plaintiff in an Equine Sale Case 257 CHAPTER 6 The Disabled, Service Animals, and the Law 267 Gary C. Norman I. Introduction 269 A. Historical Perspectives 269 B. Legal Scope 270 II. Considerations on the Definition of the Service Animal 270 A. Statutory Definition of Service Animal 270 B. Agencies Address Definition of Service Animal 273 III. Training Standards and Certification 274 IV. Overview: Accommodating Service Animals under Federal Law 276 V. Service Animals at Your Feet on Board: Air Carriers Access Act 278 A. Introduction 278 B. Prohibition against Unlawful Discrimination Boarding Access to Facilities and Information Decision Interpreting Coverage of Southwest's Web Site as Place of Public Accommodation 284 C. Foreign Travel 285 D. Defenses 286. Remedies: Lots of Greenbacks for Discrimination? A Case Regarding JNOV and Medical Damages against Northwest Airlines Compliance Reviews: As Good as Greenbacks? 289 F. Future Issues 289 VI. Service Animals in Your Apartment: Some Say Yes, I Say No? 290 A. Reasonable Accommodations 290 B. The Ugly Face of Discrimination: An Overview of Its Nature and Burdens of Proof 292 C. Case Examples of Discrimination 293 D. My Emotional Support Animal and I Demand Accommodations Here Does My Apartment Complex Have a Legal Obligation? 294 E. Defenses 295 F. Remedies 295

9 x CONTENTS VII. Americans with Disabilities Act of A. General Comments 296 B. Title II Overview Examples of Access Protections, If Any, for Service Animal Handlers 297 a. Local Government 297 b. Quarantine Restrictions 298 c. Access to Public Transportation 299 d. What to Do? Law Enforcement Faces Off with Assistance Dogs 299 C. Title III General Principles Access to Differing Places of Public Accommodations 302 a. Snoopy "Chilling" on the Sun Deck: Is He Allowed to Take a Cruise? 303 b. Service Animals under the Table at a Bistro 304 c. Service Animals under the Bed: Places of Lodging 305 d. Shopping at a Boutique for That Pampered Pup 306 e. Sphygmomanometers and Stethoscopes: But Look, a Dog Defenses 310 a. Fundamental Alteration 312 i. Allergies and Religious Tenets 312 ii. Educational Settings 314 iii. What Happens When Allowing Access Seemingly Violates the Health Code 316 b. Mistake Is Not a Defense 318 c. Religious and Other Organizations 318 d. Remedies 318 e. Closing Thoughts on Title III 318 VIII. Emergency Preparedness 319 IX. Identifying If Lassie Is a Dog Guide or Just a Great Thespian 320 A. ADA Provisions 320 B. State Analysis in Attorney General Opinion 322 X. State Protections Briefly Explored 323 XI. Scooby, Snoopy, and Lassie All Say Bye Concluding the Chapter 325

10 Contents xi CHAPTER 7 Animal Insurance Litigation 341 Julie I. Fershtman I. Introduction 341 II. Coverage Issues Involving Animal Insurance Policies 342 A. General Condition of Animal at Policy's Inception 342 B. Condition of Timely Notice to Insurer 343 C. Euthanasia and Humane Destruction Disputes 344 D. Postmortem Requirements 346 III. Damages 347 A. Attorneys'Fees 347 B. Penalty Interest 347 C. Unfair Trade Practices Act or Insurance Practices Act 348 D. Punitive Damages 348 IV. Litigation Considerations for Counsel 348 A. Timing for Instituting Litigation 348 B. State Insurance Bureau Complaints 348 C. Burden of Proof 349 D. Venue 349 E. Arbitration 349 F. Discovery 350 G. Motions 350 CHAPTER 8 Legal Issues Involving Animal Associations and Individuals Helping Animals 355 Zandra Anderson I. Introduction 358 II. Establishing an Animal, Rescue, or Humane Organization 359 A. Benefits and Drawbacks of Establishing an Association or Organization 359 B. Benefits and Drawbacks of Establishing a 501(c)(3) Charitable Corporation 360 III. Protections of 501(c)(3) Status 361 A. Immunity from Liability for Volunteers 361 B. Limitations on Liability for the Charitable Organization 362 C. Limitations on Employee Liability 363 D. Exceptions to Immunity Volunteers Negligently Operating a Motor Vehicle Willful or Gross Negligence 365 E. Summary: Establishing an Animal Organization 365

11 xii CONTENTS IV. Liability of the Animal, Rescue, or Humane Organization 365 A. Can a Rescue Group or Individual Rescuer Be Sued for Negligence in Placing a Dog? 366 B. Ethical and Legal Considerations of Full Disclosure in Adopting Animals 367 C. Proper Screening of the Adopter or New Owner Determine What Other Animals the New ' Owner Has Determine the Age of Everyone in the Family 369 V. Liability of a Rescue Organization for Placement of Original Owner's Animal with a New Owner: Who Owns the Dog? 370 A. The Stray or At-Large Animal Impoundment Owner Claims the Animal After It Has Been Adopted How to Handle Ownership Questions and Avoid a Potential Lawsuit How to Handle Ownership Issues Contractually If Local Laws Do Not Address All Rescue Organizations, How Are Strays or At-Large Animals Affected? Local Laws Rarely Affect the Individual Rescuer Try to Determine Ownership during the Waiting Period 375 B. The Owner Turn-In or Owner Surrender 376 C. Animals Seized by Local Authorities Awarded to Shelters Animals Seized as Evidence in Possession of the Shelter 377 D. Animals at Large or Seized Due to Disasters 378 E. Establishing Disputed-Ownership Policies 379 VI. The Importance of Contractual Agreements in Protecting the Rescue Organization and Ensuring Responsible Placement of Animals 380 A. The Adoption Application: Soliciting Information to Ensure a Responsible Adoption and Protect the Rescue Organization Elements of a Good Application '. 381 a. Full Identification of the Potential Adopter 381 b. Home Ownership and Homeowners' Associations 382

12 Contents xiii c. Leasing or Renting 382 d. Number, Kind, and Sex of Other Pets 382 e. Age of Everyone in the Home 383 f. Work Schedule of the Adopter(s) 383 g. Where the Animal Will Stay and How It Will Be Cared For How an Application Benefits a Rescue Organization 384 B. The Adoption Contract: Binding the Adopter, Protecting the Rescue Key Elements of a Rescue Organization's Adoption Contract 385 a. Proper Identification of the Adopters and the Animal to Be Adopted 385 b. Organization's Expectations of the Adopter 385 c. Disclaimer and Hold-Harmless Provision 385 d. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization If the Adopter Can No Longer Keep It 386 e. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization in the Event of Death of the Adopter 386 f. Return of Animal to the Rescue Organization Due to Breach of the Adoption Contract 387 g. Ownership Disputes 387 h. Spaying and Neutering Provisions How to Draft the Contract to Protect the Organization from a Lawsuit 388 C. The Owner Turn-In Contract: Key Elements Identify the Person Alleging to Be the Owner Specify That Property Rights Are Extinguished in the Transfer 389 VII. Liability of Rescuers and Rescue Groups for Defamation 389 A. Talk Is Not Cheap If It Is Slander 389 B. The Humane Society of Dallas Bites Back: The Rescue Organization as the Defamed Plaintiff. 390 C. Alleged Defamation over Cruelty Determination: The Individual as the Defamed Plaintiff against a Rescue Organization 390 D. Posting Alleged Defamatory Remarks on an Internet Bulletin Board 391 E. Alleged Defamation Could Curtail Donations to Charitable Rescue Organization 392 F. The DNA: They Sent What on ? 393

13 xiv CONTENTS G. Sending from an Employer's Account 393 VIII. Liability of Animal Shelters Run by Government Entities 394 A. Liability for Torts 394 B. Liability for Damages Arising from Torts 394 C. Notice Provisions 395 D. Liability for the Placement of Animals: Sovereign Immunity 395 IX. Responsibility of Animal Associations and Individual Rescuers for Spaying and Neutering 396 A. Legal Responsibility of the Rescue Organization for Spaying and Neutering 396 B. Individual Rescuer's Responsibility for Spaying and Neutering 397 X. Liability of the Individual for Helping and Rescuing Animals 398 A. Feral Cat Colonies Consideration of Local At-Large Laws 398 a. Cities Allowing Cats to Be at Large by Specifically Exempting Them 398 b. Cities Allowing Cats to Be at Large by Omission 399 c. Cities That Prohibit Cats from Being at Large Local Laws That Prohibit Maintaining Feral Cat Colonies Trap and Kill Jurisdictions Catch and Kill Jurisdictions Catch and Relocate Jurisdictions Local Laws Allowing Feral Cat Colonies Classifying Feral Cats as Pests Summary: Legal Considerations of Feral Cat Colonies 404 B. The Classic Clash of Birds and Cats: State of Texas v. Stevenson 404 C. Individual Animal Rescuer Liability Is the Individual Rescuer Subject to the Same Regulations as an Animal Shelter for Care of Rescued Animals? 406 a. How Long Must an Individual Rescuer Keep an Animal Before Placing It? 407 b. Lawsuits Regarding Ownership 407

14 Contents xv 2. Consideration of State and Local Laws Addressing the Individual Animal Rescuer 407 a. Spaying and Neutering 407 b. Number of Animals Allowed 407 c. Vaccinations Is the Individual Rescuer Subject to the Same Liability as the Rescue Organization? 408 XI. Probate Litigation Involving Animal Organizations 408 A. Problems That May Arise When an Animal Organization Is the Beneficiary in a Will Pretermitted Spouse Challenges Will Benefiting Rescue Organization Capacity Challenged Regarding New Will in Favor of Rescue Organizations Capacity Challenged Regarding New Will Excluding Rescue Organization Will Benefiting Rescue Organization Challenged Based on Improper Execution Relative Challenges Will Benefiting Rescue Organization Based on Construction of Will Rescue Organizations Challenge Distribution under a Will 410 B. How an Animal Organization Can Preserve Its Rights as a Beneficiary in a Will 411 Appendices 412 A. Application for Adoption 412 B. Adoption Contract 417 C. Additional Contract Terms for Certain Breeds 421 D. Short Adoption Contract Form (Limited Use) 423 E. Owner Relinquishment Agreement 425 F. Sample Feral Cat Colony Ordinance (Speedway, Indiana) 426 CHAPTER 9 Remedies in Animal-Related Litigation 437 Joan E. Schaffner I. Introduction 438 II. Damages 439 A. Compensatory Loss to the Animal Loss to the Owner 440 a. Economic Property Loss 440

15 xvi CONTENTS b. Noneconomic Property Loss 442 c. Economic Consequential Loss 443 d. Noneconomic Personal Loss to Owner 444 e. State Statutes Allowing Recovery 445 i. Definition of "Pet" 446 ii. Conduct Establishing Liability 446 iii. Damages Allowed 446 iv. Exemptions 447 B. Punitive or Exemplary Damages 447 III. Restitution 448 IV. Other Specific Relief 449 A. Injunctions 449 B. Specific Performance 451 V. Attorneys' Fees and Ancillary Remedies 453 A. Attorneys' Fees 453 B. Ancillary Remedies 454 Appendices 455 A. Selected Secondary Sources on Remedies in Animal Law Cases 455 B. List of Available Remedial Forms 456 CHAPTER 10 Criminal Law 461 Dana M. Campbell Pamela D. Frasch I. Introduction 463 II. Common Types of Animal Cruelty Cases 463 A. Neglect 463 B. Abuse 464 C. Abandonment 466 D. Sex Offenses 467 E. Hoarders and Breeders 467 F. Animal Fighting 469 G. Farmed Animal Cases 470 III. Common Motions in Animal Cruelty Cases 470 A. Motion to Suppress Evidence 470 B. Motion to Examine the Carcass or Other Evidence 471 C. Motion for Particular Bail or Release Conditions 472 IV. Special Procedural and Other Unique Issues in Animal Cruelty Cases 472 A. Forfeiture or Foster Care until Trial, Costs of Care in the Interim 472

16 Contents xvii B. The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence 473 C. Proving Ownership or Custody 475 D. Proving Pain or Cause of Death 476 E. Jury Issues VoirDire Jury Instructions 477 V. Considerations for Plea Bargains and Sentencing in Animal Cruelty Cases 477 A. Creating a Criminal Record for the Defendant 477 B. Jail Time and Suspended Sentences 478 C. Community Service 478 D. Restitution 479 E. Counseling 479 F. No-Contact Orders 480 VI. Identifying Cases in Your State 480 A. Media 480 B. Animal Shelters and Other Advocacy Groups 480 C. Law Enforcement 481 D. Identifying and Contacting the Appropriate Prosecutor 481 VII. Prosecutorial Discretion and Considerations 482 A. Felony or Misdemeanor Abuse 482 B. Multiple Counts 482 C. Related Counts 482 D. Juveniles 483 E. Resources Available to the Prosecutor Follow-Up Investigations Laboratories and Other Scientific Tools Veterinarians and Other Expert Witnesses Visual Aids for Trial 487 VIII. Communication with the Prosecutor and Judge 488 A. Prosecutors Be Squeaky Be a Resource Be Prepared 488 B. Judges 489 IX. Available Resources 489 A. Expert Witness Database 489 B. Research 489 C. Telephone Advice and Ideas from Prosecutors 490 D. Other 490 X. Conclusion 490

17 xviii CONTENTS Appendices 490 A. Sample Indictment 490 B. Sample Subpoena Duces Tecum 503 C. Sample Forfeiture Petition 504 D. Sample Jury Voir Dire 508 E. Sample Jury Instructions 517 F. Sample Verdict 518 G. Suggested Readings and Other Resources 519 CHAPTER 11 Expert Witnesses 527 Katherine C. Bloomquist I. Introduction 527 II. Choosing an Expert 528 A. The Expert's Qualifications 528 B. Practical Pointers in Selection and Use of an Expert 532 III. Admissibility of Expert Witnesses 533 IV. Expert Witnesses and the Emerging Daubert Standards 533 A. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc 533 B. After Daubert General Electric Co. v. Joiner Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael Federal Rule of Evidence 702 Amendment in C. Applicability o/daubert to State Courts 536 V. Discovery of Experts 537 A. Applicable Rules 537 B. Practical Pointers in Conducting Discovery When an Expert May Be Utilized 537 CHAPTER 12 Practical Considerations for Attorneys Handling Animal Law Cases 543 Julie I. Fershtman I. Introduction 544 II. Unique Ethical Considerations 544 A. Rules of Ethics 544 B. Civility and Professionalism 544 III. Evaluation of the Client's Goals and Expectations 545 A. Considerations of Economics Expense of Litigation Compared to Outcome 546

18 Contents xix 2. Potential for Recovery of Legal Fees Potential for Opposing Party Being Insured Potential to Maximize Recovery by Invoking a Statute Potential for Recovery of Emotional Distress Damages 547 B. Practical Considerations Impact on Future Business Dealings Negative Publicity Potential for Counterclaims 548 IV. Litigating on a Shoestring 549 V. Fee Agreements 549 A. Contingency 549 B. Hourly 549 C. Flat Fee 550 VI. Alternative Dispute Resolution 550 VII. Settlements 551 Appendices 552 A. Sample Letter Rejecting Potential Legal Matter 552 B. Sample Retainer Agreement Hourly Fee 553 C. Sample Retainer Agreement Contingency Fee 555 D. Sample Agreement to Arbitrate 558 E. Sample Settlement Agreement 561 Index 565