A new article in the Washington University Law Review by Richard L. Cupp Jr. argues lawsuits “seeking to place animals in the role of plaintiffs” are a “societally harmful” attempt to protect animals that “could be a back door to breaking down legal barriers between humans and animals.”
Critique of Animals as Plaintiffs
New York Legislation Would Recognize Animals as Victims of Crime
New York Assembly Bill 4609 would recognize that animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and fear and would establish that an animal can be a victim of a crime.
Florida Considers Defining “Adequate Shelter” that Must Be Provided to Animals
Massachusetts House Bill 1377 would change the legal status of “pets” from personal property to companion animals, prohibit animal abusers from obtaining other animals, and place repeat offenders on a “do not adopt to” list.
Hawaii Considers Granting Legal Personhood to Mauna Kea
Hawaii House Bill 693 would grant Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, legal personhood.
Islamabad High Court Holds That Nonhuman Animals Have Legal Rights
The Islamabad High Court in Pakistan has ruled that an elephant held in solitary captivity must be released to a sanctuary and affirmed that animals have “legal rights.”
New York Court Denies Habeas Corpus Relief for Happy the Elephant
New York Supreme Court Justice Tuitt has “regretfully” denied the Nonhuman Rights Project’s request for habeas corpus relief for an elephant named Happy currently confined to the Bronx Zoo. The decision was based on binding precedent by the state’s Appellate Division. The Nonhuman Rights Project has stated it will appeal the decision.
Connecticut Appellate Court Grants NhRP Permission to File Supplemental Brief
The court granted the Nonhuman Rights Project’s request that it be allowed to file a supplemental brief to address what it calls “serious errors of law” made in the court’s decision on the first case NhRP brought against the Commerford Zoo.
New York Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Removal of Elephant
The Supreme Court of the State of New York has granted a preliminary restraining order, in place until a further hearing on October 21, which prohibits the Bronx Zoo from moving Happy the elephant out of the State of New York. The order was requested by the Nonhuman Rights Project in conjunction with their suit intending to free Happy.