Born twelve years ago in a rural country setting south of Chicago to a litter of seven brothers and sisters, Pepper, a Labrador Retriever was welcomed into a home that was only to be temporary.
Similar to child custody litigation, he was unfortunately used as a tool, while separated from his rightful owner during a contentious divorce. The arduous trial lasting years would make National headlines, since no laws existed at the time protecting neither the litigant nor animal.
Despite numerous similar cases heard in other States for pet recognition, shamefully your pet is viewed as a table, lamp or similar inert "object."
From this, "Peppers Bill" was created for introduction before the Illinois General Assembly while efforts from courageous Illinois Senator Linda Holmes would take precedence making it to the house floor for the 100th Regular Session.
Illinois Senate Bill 1261, aptly titled Ownership For Companion Animal, would have its first reading on February 9th, 2017, pass the Illinois Senate on April 26th, 2017, pass the Illinois House of Representatives on May 30th, 2017 and become law on August 25th, 2017. Almost sweeping votes, one is left to wonder why it had taken so long.
From this law now provides for the best interest of the animal. Similar to child custody: who cares for the pet, feeds them, and spends most time with them.
* SPOILER ALERT BELOW FOR THOSE WHO PURCHASED THE BOOK *
Years later, Pepper now lives with his rightful owner where he enjoys daily hikes, frequent travel, and hogging the bed wherever he lays his head.
From this process, a seed had been planted further pursuing unfair animal practices that other States abide by similar law. Much larger and more important than Peppers trial, exists today a wider calling for Animal Liberation and Welfare. That they be recognized as living being sentient creatures holding the same ability to reason, love, and experience pain just as we do.
While man may brandish a larger stick and an assumed higher intellect, should be used for compassion and empathy as their guardian rather than for domination and cruelty.
“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”
~ Mark Twain ~
~ July 2022 ~ After a long illness, I am sorry to relate that Pepper passed by my side on the night of May 2, 2022. Unyielding and perhaps selfish, I refused euthanasia as an option. Many would argue, however, I could not take the life of a being that had such an impact on my life. Determined, we fought for his survival between countless trips to the veterinarian, use of medications, and constant companionship and encouragement. Because of his severe arthritis, surgery, and eventual cancer that would ultimately take his life, I did what was best providing the hospice he needed when the end seemed eminent. Looking back, I would not have done it differently and am eternally grateful for the time he shared his life with me and the impact he made on others. I never doubted our connection, but nothing could have prepared me for how quiet, empty, and the colorlessness the house would become without you. My boy and best friend, I hope to see you again where we can once again hike on unchartered trails. I miss you dearly. Soon.
~ June 2022 ~ Recent Oped by Paul Barthel. As appeared.
https://paulbarthel.substack.com/
Sustainable Animal Welfare and Normative Ethics in McHenry County
Paul Barthel is a business owner in McHenry County, founder of Animal Humane Advocacy, and published author who writes about the fair and ethical treatment of animals.
Recently it has come to light the unfortunate closure of the McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center. This, in addition, to the limited staff and hours of operation at CASE, the "Companion Animal Specialty & Emergency Hospital," also located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. While reminded that it is only temporary due to staffing shortages does not merit pause by those companion animals in need that have been displaced or transferred to other various shelters and adoption agencies as recently demonstrated.
An integral part of McHenry County, the challenges facing those who choose to protect animals go far beyond offering temporary housing or deontological theory. Those animals that arrive are many times from downstate Illinois or collaring states that have been left abandoned along roadsides, relinquished after failed adoptions, abused, or victims of neglect. Many times, they arrive suffering from injuries, unvaccinated, or distressed from the potentially fatal effects of parvo or heartworm that requires expensive veterinarian care.
By estimation, over seven million companion animals enter shelters each year while on average only one out of ten will find their forever home. Of those arriving only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered ultimately contributing to the overpopulation and eventual neglect, they may yet suffer. Of those who may never find a home over two million will be euthanized, most otherwise healthy but having no placement options. Millions more are then put down due to overpopulation and the owner's neglect, either accidentally or intentionally, allowing reproduction in excess of what is sustainable in adoption practices. These few reasons alone warrant the need for the care and compassion of those sentient creatures we welcome into our homes and how the responsibility of the McHenry County Animal Control goes far beyond offering mere temporary housing.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act and Advance McHenry County Mission, McHenry County was allocated $59.78 million to be used for investing in resilient public services and supporting community-driven projects to deliver inclusive, innovative, long-term benefits across the County. To date, millions remain available pending application and eventual county board approval. While the pay scale advertised for caring for those animals is equivalent to an individual working in fast food, however, fails to recognize the disparity when caring for another sentient life. In addition to a respectable wage that would retain staffing, as a catalyst, perhaps the county would consider a most needed spay and neuter program, and affordable medicinal assistance for those families who may qualify. Families who otherwise cannot afford veterinarian care thus allowing either the animal to needlessly suffer or choosing untimely euthanasia as their only option.
For those skeptics proclaiming that the county does not need another “program” and or tax at the behest of its citizens, it should be noted that it has been demonstrated that an effective spay and neuter program not only thwarts unwanted pregnancies but reduces overpopulation significantly while ultimately reducing the cost burden for residents. It also contributes to longer pet life, behavioral benefits, prevents disease, and the high cost of millions of domesticated animals from having to be inhumanely euthanized. Further, it's no secret that cities like Los Angeles now incur fines for failing to spay or neuter a pet, while this effort has significantly reduced overpopulation and the eventual tax burden it leaves in its wake. It also should be noted that those funds from the American Rescue Plan Act made available to McHenry County have already been allocated meaning that there is no added tax burden.
Moral intuition suggests that this is a small price for the unconditional love and reassurance our companion friends offer each of us and to some 75% of homes across America that choose preferring benevolence over suffering.
Pt. 2. Program efficacy for humane animal control and treatment. Subscribe.
Paul Barthel is the founder of Animal Humane Advocacy, and author who writes about the fair and ethical treatment of animals. Paul is also a Candidate for the McHenry County Board, District 4.
~ June 2022 ~ The now frozen crisp fall leaves from autumn past crunching under our step, our breath holding for a moment in the crisp air, we walked in silence, our pace slow and guarded versus some thirteen years before on a similar trail over different ground. Thirteen years or two months in age, regardless, his fervor the same despite what his body suggests or what it may allow. The inclination stronger than the will of his body, purposeful, I avoid hilly terrain, slippery rocks, or unyielding brush. Inseparable, we had experienced all that and more seemingly only months passed. The exhilaration and abandonment of discovering unexplored acres of forest, wading through streams, carelessly jumping over fallen logs, chasing mule deer, imprinting newly fallen snow, and all the while enjoying our pause, our moment, a man and his dog. No leader and both equals, each moment allowed our escape, time and again, now almost fourteen years past, the gravity shared rarely the same and never taken for granted, reminded that time is no longer on our side. Teased by our youth and eventual mortality. May we find each other again and endless trails that may follow.
~ February 2022 ~ By now no longer a secret, have decided to germinate those efforts on a larger scale in an effort to contribute. While running for a County Board seat may not have the largest impact, however, running for a house or senate seat, where the laws have the most impact, will have to be seen. Baby steps. Nothing changes without change itself. Yes, Greatest Canines is coming, however, the focus now is getting through the primaries and then, hopefully, General Election. No secret, in a Farm Ag State such as Illinois, has already been met with resistance. The general assumption being that the "fringe" prefer that chickens are allowed to vote and cows be allowed to drive cars. Perhaps a consensus is we start with general empathy and compassion?
~ December 2021 ~ Greatest Canines has become a rabbit hole, much more difficult than anticipated. Many life changes making writing difficult. Non-fiction requiring accountability and accuracy makes fact-checking, interviews, and research all about the writing process. Merry Christmas all.
~ April 2021 ~ Greatest Canines. Still undecided about title. Pepper by my side, fireplace, light snowfall, coffee. Does it get any better? Back to editing and chapter rewrites, omissions, and corrections. Invite sent out to readers and subscribers for possible book inclusion. 2021 Publishing looks promising.
~ December 2020 ~ Book Pause and Time For Healing.
Dog comes home on Christmas Day after Cancer diagnosis and 15% chance of survival.
When a mass was discovered on our Pet Labrador Retriever, Pepper, it was suggested he would not survive overnight and euthanasia would be the most humane gesture. This, two weeks before Christmas day. Refusing euthanasia as an option, Pepper would receive additional medications and come back home by our choice rather than the alternative.
His condition deteriorating by the hour and not expected to survive the night, we showered him with attention and began searching for burial arrangements.
Hanging on until the next morning, we refused in letting Pepper go ultimately taking him in for a second and then third opinion while arguing against euthanasia. The subsequent veterinarian visits led us down a rabbit hole of ultrasounds, multiple blood samples being drawn, x-rays, liver biopsy, and repeated exploratory testing to determine the cause of his illness. After two days of additional testing, it was determined that Pepper's gallbladder may have ruptured. Rushed to the emergency, fluids were then drawn determining that caustic bile had leaked into his abdomen exposing his other vital organs from his perforated gallbladder.
Once again, abstaining from euthanasia, we were given two choices; Immediately perform a costly and invasive emergency abdominal exploratory surgery or monitor Pepper overnight on intravenous fluids. Opting for surgery, I argued, we already knew he was dying and despite any amount of medications or fluids being pumped into him, he would not survive the night.
Unable to be by Pepper's side during the entire ordeal due to COVID, we waited in our car outside of what is considered the Mayo Clinic of Veterinarian Care facilities where Pepper would undergo emergency surgical removal of his gallbladder and flushing of his body cavity of the caustic bile. Upon surgically exposing his abdomen came confirmation that his gallbladder had, in fact, ruptured. Under optimum conditions, dogs on average are given a 50-50 chance of survival during this type of invasive surgery. Due to Pepper's advanced age and prolonged and untreated ruptured gallbladder exposing his other vital organs, his estimated chances of survival were grim. One surgeon suggesting survival at only 15%, while other doctors suspected he would not even survive the surgery, nevermind the crucial 72 hours post-operation.
His prognosis bleak, we waited for the bad news while praying for the best. Hours would pass with no news being good news until two hours after surgery we were notified that he had survived one of the most advanced cases of abdominal septic infections the hospital had seen and that the next 72 hours would be critical for his survival.
Post-surgery, Pepper would lay on life support in intensive care with four tubes, both intravenously and catheters running from his body in all directions. Due to COVID, and prohibited from visiting, we would Face-Time with Pepper while in ICU over the phone monitoring his progress. Watching his lifeless body via video over the phone was heart wrenching. His blood test would reveal an abnormally high white blood cell count, liver enzyme levels that were fifty times higher than normal, and body temperature that continued to plummet. Over the next few hours survival seemed unlikely.
Back at home, depleted, we prayed and lit candles. The very next morning, the anticipated call would instead offer us a slight chance of hope informing us that Pepper had become the miracle dog of the ICU. Slowly, his blood sample readings began to stabilize and liver enzymes leveled. More time would pass as they fed him intravenously and pumped him with medications. Day two after surgery and extremely weak, Pepper would take his first brief walk and progressively beat the odds to the disbelief of hospital staff.
Day three, Christmas Day, 72 hours after the invasive surgery, it was announced Pepper could be released and come home for what would be our best Christmas together. He had survived those most crucial hours despite the odds and what his surgeon, after performing countless similar operations, suggested was the most severe case of septic invading infection from a ruptured gallbladder he had ever witnessed. In truth, Pepper was not supposed to be alive.
Patiently, we waited in our car until the hospital double doors opened until Pepper slowly walked out making his appearance. His smile slight, and his walk wavering, however, his unmistakable antenna tail would wag profusely upon our greeting. Unable to contain our excitement, we lifted him inside the car into the same bed that he had arrived only days earlier and were handed a multitude of medications, instructions and documents. With that, to hell with COVID and social distancing, I hugged the nurse and thanked her and the remarkable staff for saving Pepper's life on Christmas Day.
As suggested by many; why even waste your time or staggering amounts of money on a mere dog already in his advanced senior years? On the very first visit, I sat there in the parking lot on a cold frigid December evening, humbly, surrounded by dozens of cars filled with various walks of people, their dogs, and cats; each waiting their turn. Insistently on their phones, many crying, we all held pilgrimage for promising news. Once again, I was reminded of how our pets have become embedded in our lives, their happiness, well being, and unconditional love they give in return.
Pepper is home now, going on 96 hours post-surgery. He takes 10 different medications every few hours, while each hour and day, his prognosis for survival remains promising. Unable to climb the stairs, I refuse leaving him alone each night, instead, camping out on the couch next to his bed. "A miracle" as described by his nurses and doctors.
No cancer was ever found despite that first x-ray prognosis and flippant suggested euthanasia. It doesn't matter, even with a 15% chance of survival, it offered me hope. Yes, yes, yes, to the skeptics, I understand because of his age, he may only survive a little while longer. However, the alternative would have been a lifetime of self-scrutiny and obsessiveness over the life I would have willingly chosen in taking with the minimalist of effort on a whim. Did I merely buy time for what is already an older dog on borrowed time? Contrary, I would like to think I will find peace in knowing I did all I could to save another being, which happened to be a dog and most importantly, my best friend. Be damned 2020 and COVID, but what a wonderful Christmas present for certain.
I can only hope that one day as we do now, looking back in wonder the absurdity of woman's suffrage and the atrocity of slavery. With certainty conviction, we will recognize the disparity and unethical treatment of animals and the commodity we have created of them despite their right to life.
~ November 2020 ~ Time for reflection and celebration. Pepper turned 12 today. I recall holding him in the palm of my hands only a few short years ago on our first hike. The snow soo deep and snowflakes as large as coins swirling around us. Soo cold that I had to place him inside my coat with his head sticking out. I will never forget.
~ August 2020 ~ Greatest Canines in History. Title change? Slowly taking shape while at the same time overwhelmed with the history of our close friends and their achievements. From the Romans who held them close much the same as we do currently, to their indigenious migration from the Grey Wolf taking some 18,000 years by estimation. From those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, to those who have made us laugh and cry on the big screen. Dogs have become an everyday part of our lives as much as brushing our teeth, wathing TV, and breathing.
~ July 2020 ~ Chapter compilation, drastic editing changes. What took countless sandglass measurments of time to inscribe is merely discarded with an impression of one keyboard stroke. COVID frustrations, one would think would provide opportune time to immerse oneself in writing. Perhaps deadline and urgency offer the best repose? Ironic. Carry on.
~ June 2020 ~ In all fairness, only from a human account are we allowed to fully admire in awe and grasp those tales of canines having achieved inexplicable measures of achievement. From those accounts, it would set course from the origin our relationship of the bond we share to this day. However, one is left to wonder of all the wondrous miracles never recorded between man and his best friend since the inception of their unlikely connection more so than any other species. Before television and the eye of the camera and after genetic divergence, some 30,000 years ago during the last glacial period when ice sheets were at their greatest covering most of North America and many parts of the world. And shortly after, during speciation when divergent evolution would separate dog from wolf as we have come to learn and the first known case of domestication.
~ January 2020 ~ Does it ever get any easier? Writing that is. In today's world of instant messaging, phones, emails and holding a full time job, writing as a passion can easily become secondary to all the distractions. Finding any quiet time means waking at 3am before each day unfolds, avoiding the distractions and "time grabbers." Days morph into weeks while only a couple of pages may have been written. And terrible one's at that. Dare go back and revisit those musings what suddenly has become incoherent ramblings only to be rewritten. Time and again.
Much easier to relate a story from memory such as it were with Never Left Behind than having to check and recheck research via records, sources, phone calls, and interviews. Grief, doubt, hesitation and procrastination plague any writing attempts. Pen becomes dolent and pages remain stark white.
Finding your story, your pause as it were, takes time. Slowly a sentence bleeds into paragraph form and finally, paragraph into page, and page to chapter. And then another. Never perfect, yet perhaps acceptable. Is that not everything we undertake in life? Never a master yet always an apprentice.
Forgot our Boarding Papers, so off we went skiing with Pepper in tow.
Potty break and hike along I-25.
On one of many trails.
Two beds, yet would insist we sleep in one.
Day of the final trial date on our way home.
Day at the Beach
Perfect Day
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-pet-custody-law-20171218-story.html
http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80825274/
http://www.theherald-news.com/2014/07/18/divorced-husband-wants-custody-of-the-dog/atcro3e/
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2014/07/18/divorced-husband-wants-custody-of-the-dog/atcro3e/
http://www.wave3.com/story/26075365/divorce-who-gets-custody-of-the-family-pet
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2014/07/18/divorced-husband-wants-custody-of-the-dog/atcro3e/
http://www.latimes.com/chi-carol-stream-man-fights-for-custody-of-dog-20140716-premiumvideo.html
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/janetheactuary/2014/07/sorry-but-pets-are-property.html
http://www.single-momnation.com/blog/2014/7/24/pet-custody-makes-me-cringe
http://www.dailynews724.com/local/divorcing-couple-struggles-with-pet-custody-h173248.html
http://video.suntimes.com/Pet-custody-battle-26424761
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140803/news/140809642/
http://www.animalcustodywarriors.com/landmark-cases.html
PREVIOUS CASE REFERENCE MATERIAL
SENTELL V. NEW ORLEANS& C.R. CO., FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, DOMESTICATED ANIMALS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED PERSONAL PROPERTY. IN AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE, THE SUPREME COURT ARTICULATED THIS VIEW IN 1897 IN STATING THAT “[B]Y THE COMMON LAW, AS WELL AS BY THE LAW OF MOST, IF NOT ALL, THE STATES, DOGS ARE SO FAR RECOGNIZED AS PROPERTY.” AND, WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, THIS ANCIENT DOCTRINE REMAINED UNQUESTIONED FOR ANOTHER CENTURY.
ZAGER V. DIMILIA, 524 N.Y.S. 2D 968, (1978). VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED IN A CASE WHERE…A LIVING CREATURE IS INVOLVED”.
RAYMOND V. LACHMANN, 695 N.Y.S.2D 308 (1999); COURTS IN NEW YORK, MARYLAND, AND TEXAS HAVE ORDERED SHARED CUSTODY OR VISITATION OF ANIMAL COMPANIONS, BASED SOLELY OR AT LEAST PARTLY ON THE INTERESTS OF THE ANIMALS AT ISSUES.
ASSAL V. KIDWELL, CIVIL NO. 164421 (MD. CIR.CT., MONTGOMERY CTY. DEC. 3, 1999); ONE SHORTCOMING OF THE LAW IS THAT IT HAS NOT MODERNIZED TO DISTINGUISH PETS FROM FARM ANIMALS. WHEN ANIMALS WERE PART OF THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION, PERHAPS IT MADE SOME LEGAL SENSE TO TREAT THEM THE SAME AS FACTORY EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, THE TIME IS LONG PAST WHEN THE LAW SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NO LONGER AN AGRARIAN SOCIETY AND THAT TRACTORS AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT HAVE, IN FACT, HEAVILY REPLACED ANIMALS AS A MEANS OF FARM PRODUCTION OR FAMILY INCOME.
ARRINGTON V. ARRINGTON, 613 S.W.2D 565 (TEX APP. 1981). COURTS DECIDING CUSTODY ISSUES ARE INCREASINGLY FINDING THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS MUST BE CONSIDERED. COURTS IN NEW YORK, MARYLAND, AND TEXAS HAVE ORDERED SHARED CUSTODY OR VISITATION OF ANIMAL COMPANIONS, BASED SOLELY OR AT LEAST PARTLY ON THE INTERESTS OF THE ANIMALS AT ISSUES.
BENNETT V. BENNETT. FLORIDA DISTRICT COURT’S JUDGMENT OF DISSOLUTION IN ALL AREAS EXCEPT ONE: POSSESSION OF THE DOG, “RODDY.” FOLLOWING A HEARING IN WHICH THE HUSBAND ASSERTED HIS CLAIM TO THE DOG AS A “PREMARITAL ASSET,” THE TRIAL JUDGE GRANTED POSSESSION OF RODDY TO MR. BENNETT. HOWEVER, SYMPATHETIC TO THE WIFE, THE COURT ALSO GRANTED VISITATION RIGHTS TO MS. BENNETT EVERY OTHER WEEKEND AND EVERY OTHER CHRISTMAS. BOTH PARTIES FILED A SERIES OF MOTIONS CONTESTING THE COURT’S DECISION.
DESANCTIS AND PRITCHARD, NO. 2990 EA 2001, 2002 PENNSYLVANIA SUP. CT., JULY 5, 2002. PARTIES HAD A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT INCLUDING SHARED POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY PET. HUSBAND ASSUMED MORE THAN HIS SHARE OF THE MARITAL DEBT, IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS SHARED POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY PET. LATER, WIFE REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT, HUSBAND PETITIONS THE COURT TO ENFORCE THE AGREEMENT. COURT. THE TRIAL COURT AND ALL HIGHER COURTS REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THAT PARTIES CAN CREATE A SHARED PROPERTY INTEREST IN A PET; DESCRIBING HUSBAND’S COMPLAINT AS “SEEKING AN ARRANGEMENT ANALOGOUS, IN LAW, TO A VISITATION SCHEDULE FOR A TABLE OR A LAMP.”
RAYMOND V. LACHMAN, NEW YORK PLAINTIFF AND DEFENDANT HAD BEEN ROOMMATES AND PLAINTIFF’S CAT HAD LIVED WITH THEM. THE TWO SEPARATED AND DEFENDANT FELT THE CAT BELONGED WITH HIM. PLAINTIFF SOUGHT RELIEF TO OBTAIN PERMANENT CUSTODY OF HIS “PROPERTY”.
AKERS V. SELLERS. 114 IND.APP.660, 54 N.E.2D 779 CONTAINS MANY OF THE PROBLEMS IN PLACING A DOG. THE “TRUE VALUE” OF THE DOG TO THE PARTIES WAS NOT USED, BUT INSTEAD WAS SET ARBITRARILY AT $25. THE COURT RAISED THE QUESTION OF THE PROPRIETY OF USING COURT RESOURCES TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE OF THE DOG'S RESIDENCE, BUT CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE DOGS GIVE GREAT COMFORT BY THEIR COMPANIONSHIP, THE COURT WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM “WITHOUT ANY FEELING OF INJURED DIGNITY.” WHEN THE COUPLE SEPARATED, THE DOG WAS LEFT BEHIND, SO THE WIFE JUST “NATURALLY CAME INTO CUSTODY OF THE DOG.” THE COURT CHOSE TO AVOID THE QUESTION AS TO “WHETHER THE INTERESTS AND DESIRES OF THE DOG” SHOULD GOVERN THE DECISION OR THE “BRUTAL AND UNFEELING BASIS OF LEGAL TITLE.” APPARENTLY BASED ON THE HUSBAND’S LEAVING THE DOG WITH THE WIFE, THE COURT FOUND THAT HE HAD GIVEN THE DOG TO THE WIFE AND THAT “NO REASON WAS SHOWN WHY POSSESSIONSHOULD NOT ACCOMPANY OWNERSHIP.
THE 2000 “PERKINS CASE” IS PERHAPS THE MOST INFAMOUS PET CUSTODY DISPUTE. IN THIS CASE, AN AFFLUENT SAN DIEGO COUPLE LAUNCHED AN ALL-OUT WAR OVER THE CUSTODY OF “GIGI,” A LITTLE DOG WHO REPORTEDLY TOOK UP HALF OF THE PERKINS’ THREE-DAY DIVORCE TRIAL. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE LITIGATION, MS. PERKINS ALLEGEDLY INVESTED SOME $146,000 IN THE CASE TO FINANCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A “CANINE BONDING” STUDY CONDUCTED BY A PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL BEHAVIORIST AND A VIDEO ABOUT THE DOG TITLED “A DAY IN THE LIFE [OF GIGI].” SEE, FIGHTING LIKE CATS AND DOGS, P. 439).
JONATHAN RANKIN, A BOSTON ATTORNEY WHO RECENTLY LEFT THE FIRM GLICKMAN TURLEY TO OPEN HIS OWN ANIMAL LAW PRACTICE, “COURTS ARE ALWAYS BEHIND SOCIETY.”
"BY STATUTE OR BY PRECEDENT, POSITIVE CHANGES WILL EVENTUALLY IMPROVE FUTURE PET CUSTODY DISPUTES. “IF CORPORATIONS CAN BE PERSONS IN THE EYES OF LAW, IF SHIPS CAN BE PERSONS IN THE EYES OF THE LAW, THEN THE LAW SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING FOR ANIMALS.”
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