On this episode of Animal Amicus, hosts Senior Policy Program Manager Nicole Pallotta and Managing Attorney David Rosengard discuss the history of animal protection and animal cruelty laws, the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, courtroom animal advocate programs (CAAP), and the stories behind Desmond’s Law and Franky’s Law.

Resources referenced in this episode along with additional relevant articles are listed below:  

Desmond’s Law: CT Gen Stat § 54-86n (2018) 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Courtroom Animal Advocate Rights (CAAP) 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Short Film Released with Actress Anjelica Huston in Support of States Adopting Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Unique Connecticut Law Allows Court-Appointed Advocates to Represent Animals by Nicole Pallotta 

The Washington Post: A second chance by Emily Giambalvo 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Case Study: Animal Fighting – Michael Vick 

Animal Legal & Historical Center: Lessons Learned: Acting as Guardian/Special Master in the Bad Newz Kennels Case by Rebecca J. Huss 

Animal Legal & Historical Center: United States v. Gideon, 1 Minn. 292 (1856) 

Animal Legal & Historical Center: The Development of the Anti-Cruelty Laws During the 1800’s by David Favre & Vivien Tsang 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Laws that Protect Animals 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans (includes the fact sheet mentioned in this episode) 

Animal Welfare Institute: Safe Havens Mapping Project 

Battered Women’s Justice Project: Understanding Animal Abuse as Intimate Partner Violence 

Pamela Carlisle-Frank, Joshua M. Frank & Lindsey Nielsen (2004) Selective battering of the family pet, Anthrozoös, 17:1, 26-42, DOI: 10.2752/089279304786991864   

UConnToday: Desmond’s Law 5 Years Later: UConn Animal Law Clinic Leader Conducting Study, Crafting Manual, Developing Diversionary Program 

SSRN: Desmond’s Law: Early Impressions of Connecticut’s Court Advocate Program for Animal Cruelty Cases by Jessica Rubin 

Animal Legal Defense Fund: Model Animal Protection Laws