A relatively unknown area of law is being practiced by a new breed of lawyers, pet-related legal work. Zandra Anderson, who practices law in Texas, changed focus after a tort law reform affected her current practice. She decided to focus on something she loves, pets.

She does work for rescue groups, has been on both sides of leash laws, defends owners in disputes over whether their animals are rightfully declared dangerous and has been in on many other pet-related disputes - sometimes for cats, too.

In 2006 she started conducting seminars around Texas on laws about pets. Her seminars have attracted lawyers, veterinarians, city officials and others. She also has self-published a guide to Texas pet laws.

“Animal law is fascinating because it’s different in every state and it is constantly changing in every state,” said Amy Bures Danna who also practices in Texas. Because much of her animal legal work is done free she does a lot of civil litigation to bring in money.

More than 100 law schools now teach animal law, definitely an up-and-coming field. According to Fran Ortiz, a professor at South Texas College of Law, legal issues having to do with animals are becoming much more common.

Citing such examples as the California ballot proposal about humane treatment of livestock; the dogfighting case that sent former NFL quarterback Michael Vick to prison; hotelier Leona Helmsley’s will leaving millions in a trust for her dog, Trouble; animal welfare in research; puppy mills; cloning; or just local ordinances. “Animal law just comes up in all areas of the law,” Ortiz said.

* Photo courtesy Brett Coomer/Chronicle

Regulations. Some are good, others are bad.

According to our dog Bo, regulations of the bad variety include: limits on begging, constraints on the size of exercise yards and full bans on sleeping on the bed during hot summer nights.

Bo’s list of good regulations include: keeping poison out of dog food, requiring humans to look out for our well being and the rubbing of exposed bellies at least once a day.

So I read with interest about the new Animal Welfare Act from our friends in the UK.

Failing to notice your dog is getting fat, feeding it at the table and chocolate treats are all animal cruelty that could end up putting someone in jail under new government guidelines.

Chocolate, raisins or grapes are “poisonous” for pets, according to the code, while a dog should not be disturbed when eating as this can cause “food-related aggression”.

It also recommends that dogs should not be fed at the table as this can lead to begging - and that “curious” animals such as cats should be kept away from windows or tumble dryers.

Once again I turned to Bo for his thoughts, after all, this law does effect canines . “I thought this Act was for animal welfare? I agree about not being disturbed while dining on a nice slab of beef, but explain how keeping treats from me, and making me step on a scale every day, is going to help my self esteem?

And what’s the deal about not being fed at a table? What, were these regulations written in the 14th century?”

The new codes of practice for owners of dogs, cats and horses, just released for consultation, are part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to prevent cruelty. The guidance says that breaching the three codes will not in itself be a crime, but it could prove to be the deciding factor in whether an individual is found guilty in court of a pet welfare offense - which carries a maximum jail sentence of six months or a fine of up to £20,000.

The code of practice for dogs advises against taking a dog for a walk during the hottest part of the day or feeding it less than an hour before vigorous exercise in order to avoid “bloating”. Owners should groom dogs with long hair at least once a day and all dogs should have teeth cleaned with dog chews or canine toothpaste as part of routine care.

Training dogs should be done through “positive reinforcement” rather than punishment that can lead to behavioral problems in the future. Owners can spot signs of stress such as barking excessively, urinating indoors or yawning when not tired.

A spokesman said:”A new washing machine or pot plant comes with instructions, currently most pets do not. We think the new codes of practice will improve animal welfare and prevent animal suffering through education.”

Being dog lovers we all want the same thing, a well-loved happy dog.  While this law was written with good intent, it goes over the line into absurdity.

Oddly, Bo did come with instructions. They read, “Please feed, walk and cuddle often. It is natural for these acts of kindness to be returned in kind.”

One of our Dogster member’s responded to the Barking Mad article with a question regarding a neighbor who neglects their dogs.

They are in a very difficult situation and looking for some much needed advice.

I’m posting the letter in hopes that a fellow Dogster may have dealt with this issue and will have some helpful advice to dole out.

The neighbors next door have seven to nine children (ranging in age from six months to eight years),plus two dogs.

These dogs are utterly unloved, and most nights they can be found outside, one loose and one on a chain. These folks don’t have a fence, so the one that is loose ends up running the neighborhood and coming over to me and whoever else happens to be outside of my house at the time. This dog is not to be trusted due to the years of neglect, and she carries herself in such a way that you don’t know what her next move is.

Heaven is an absolutely gorgeous American Bulldog. These folks “rescued” her from the pound, and for a few weeks gave her love and walked her about the neighborhood. She was well-fed, sheltered, and kept outside in the daytime on her chain. At this point, three months later, she never leaves the chain. She never gets any attention from her owners. She does not have food or water available for her most of the time.

It’s disheartening to think forward to the future months and years, and how this animal’s already negative disposition toward humans is going to decline.

They have called animal control to report the situation but no action has been taken.  They are not sure of the next step and want to make sure they contact the appropriate officials.  So Dogsters, what would you do?

A man in West Jacksonville, FL who fled from the storm last week left his two dogs chained up in the carport.  Two city workers found the dogs and saved them from drowning.

The owner, David Hamm, went to a city shelter to seek refuge from the storm. He will now face two animal cruelty tickets and fines of up to $1,000, said Robert Currey, a field supervisor for Jacksonville Animal Care and Control.

Luckily, an anonymous tip notified Animal Care and Control officers, who went to rescue the dogs by boat. The officials felt Hamm’s decision was more irresponsibility than cruelty.

While I understand the need to take shelter during a storm it is incomprehensible to me that you would leave your dogs chained in an area where you know they could drown. The city opened over 10 shelters for the storm, including at least two pet-friendly ones.

One of the animals, a Labrador mix, was standing for hours in water that sometimes reached his chest and had a skin condition from long before Friday, Currey said. Neither of the dogs was licensed, but both were up to date on their shots, said Fred Forbes, interim division chief of Animal Care and Control.

Field supervisor, Robert Currey, stated “Legally, there was not a reason we could keep them from getting the dogs back.”  Apparently, absolute disgust doesn’t fall under the realm of the law.

One of our pals, Mattie, brought this heartwarming story to my attention.  It just goes to show no matter how tough you look on the outside, sometimes you’re just a big softie on the inside.

About 15 years ago, a group of animal-loving, tattooed bikers in the New York area began acting on behalf of abused animals. The men volunteered at shelters and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Toward Animals, and they tried to solve cases of missing or abused animals that other organizations had neither the time nor the resources to address.

About a year ago, they took up the name Rescue Ink, and now work full time investigating cases of animal abuse. Members of the group recently responded at a site in Elmhurt, Queens, where a caller had reported that five pit bulls were caged in the back of a used-car lot.

This is such an inspiring story.  It really goes to show that the old adage, don’t judge a book by its cover, is true. There’s a great slide show that goes along with the story, well worth taking a minute to view.

As summer comes to a close and Labor Day weekend fast approaching this is a great tip to keep in mind.  As always, we thank our friends from Sunbear Squad for this great tip.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 24

Watch for lost dogs and cats on the Labor Day holiday weekend. Dogs and cats traveling with their families sometimes take fright and run away. Be a Good Samaritan for animals.

As always,  thanks to our friends over at the Sunbear Squad for this tip of the week.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 17

Listen and watch for trapped or lost pets in student housing neighborhoods. Back-to-school time is very high-risk for student-owned dogs and cats, because students move into new housing.

Be a Good Samaritan for Animals

If you’ve ever wondered who “Sunbear” in Sunbear Squad is stop by their website to read the inspirational story. It’s a wonderful organization  devoted to defending the welfare of animals.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 10

Watch for dogs and cats who bite or lick at their fur repeatedly, creating damp “hot spots.” In summer, these wet areas of fur may attract flies and create maggot infestations.