university of Toronto Launches Canada’s First Animal Law program
TORONTO – The University of Toronto Faculty of Law has launched Canada’s first specialized animal law program, a move hailed by legal experts and animal welfare advocates as a significant step forward for animal rights. The program,which began accepting students this fall,offers a concentration in animal law alongside the Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
The initiative comes after years of advocacy for greater legal recognition of animals and their welfare.”Having gone through… 13 years now of litigation, hopefully it becomes a little bit easier for peopel in the future,” said animal law lawyer David Demers.
Phil Nichols, CEO of the Toronto Humane Society, emphasized the program’s potential to improve outcomes for pets. “With the resources the program offers and the training offered to new lawyers, it will help organizations like the Humane Society provide resources and support for people experiencing trouble with animal law.”
Nichols highlighted the link between animal welfare and social issues like housing instability, noting that “One of the main reasons we still see animals coming in is housing instability and struggles.” he believes increased recognition of pets as family members will necessitate a greater understanding of how animal law intersects with housing and individual rights.
the program aims to foster a deeper understanding of the legal status of animals, moving beyond their customary classification as property. “More exploration into animal law also allows for people to see the implications of what happens to animals when they aren’t treated as property,” Nichols said, particularly in cases like divorce, where “there are real life consequences to their health and their welfare and how they’re treated.” He advocates for “broader awareness and enhancement of how all of that is handled.”
The launch of the program reflects a growing global movement to strengthen legal protections for animals and address the complex ethical and legal challenges surrounding their welfare.
(Kirthana Sasitharan/CBC) Roxy, a blond mixed breed large dog, and Zipper, a black/tan mixed breed large dog, are in a kennel together inside the Toronto Humane Society.
