News 2017: Student group hosts legislator, professor for National Justice for Animals Week

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund hosts state Senator Montigny and Professor Vachon to talk justice for animals

Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny and UMass Law Professor Christyne J. Vachon presented to the UMass Law community on issues in animal law during National Justice for Animals Week, February 26 to March 4, as part of an event series planned by the UMass Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF).

Senator Montigny discussed “An Act to Prevent Animal Suffering and Death,” a bill he introduced in the Massachusetts legislature in 2016. The bill was signed into law and now permits civilians and emergency crews to break windows of cars containing unattended animals if the animal is suffering from extreme temperatures. The law also bans pet owners from tethering a dog outside for more than five hours.

Professor Vachon discussed her extensive work in animal advocacy and provided an overview of how attorneys may encounter animal law issues in diverse practice areas such as trusts and estates, contracts, business organizations, and property.