Law & Ethics

Montpelier, Vt. -- Vermont lawmakers have approved a bill that aims to protect animals and children from ingesting antifreeze.

The House of Representatives is considering a bill to ban transporting horses in double-deck trailers.

For nearly 20 years, equine dentistry has been considered a veterinary act in Oklahoma.

A new law that could ban ownership of nonnative animals is being debated in Washington.

Columbus, Ohio -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is targeting Ohio's farming practices in an effort to change housing requirements for farm animals.

Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio is the latest state to take on so-called "puppy mills." Legislation was introduced last week that would establish stringent guidelines for those operating breeding kennels in the state.

Pets die every day, but when it happens on the veterinarian's table should the doctor be forced to pay?

New legislation would prohibit euthanization of healthy wild horses and burros on federal lands.

Finding ways to generate revenue and cut costs can make you indispensable

Wisconsin - Veterinarians in the rural Midwest were warned of a possible new trend -- teen-aged girls reportedly taking veterinary medications meant to induce abortion in cows to perform their own abortions.

Springfield, Ill. - An Illinois Senate bill that would have labeled cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking as "animal torture" was cut to the point of removing all substantial policy change.

Washington -- A mandatory animal identification tracking system is the most effective way to minimize an animal disease outbreak.

The moment of a pet's euthanasia nearly always is difficult for the owner and is troubling for the veterinarian.

National Report - A new federal law will make it easier for workers to file wage-discrimination lawsuits. Lawyers are cautioning veterinary experts.

Columbia, S.C. - Veterinarians and animal-welfare groups are among those named in civil lawsuits filed by two members of a South Carolina family after they were charged with animal abuse.

When and why clients are euthanizing their pets is changing. Talk about it here.

Sacramento, Calif. -- A bill with a history going back to February 2007 that was scrapped by lawmakers in September and would have required mandatory sterlization of dogs and cats older than 6 months has reappeared on the California Senate floor.

Sacramento, Calif. -- A California lawmaker is seeking to make cattle tail docking illegal.

Denver, Colo. -- Legislation introduced last month in Colorado that would have limited the number of dogs breeders could keep and mandate veterinary certification exams for commercially bred dogs has been set aside indefinitely.

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois may declare ear cropping and tail docking "animal torture" if a bill introduced in late January is passed.

Albany, N.Y. -- All dogs in New York may have to be microchipped and identified in a state registry if a new bill makes it out of committee.

Lancaster, Calif. -- Several dog breeds will have to go under the knife in the next few weeks when a municipal law requiring sterilization by breed takes effect.

Brunswick, Ga. - Charged with improperly disposing of two dead horses, citizens spoke up to vindicate this veterinarian.

The prospect of building an all-new practice facility is a daunting one, especially for veterinarians who have not owned a practice before.

National Report - As microchipping becomes more common, veterinarians are questioning their legal liability and ethical obligations in regard to sorting out ownership disputes.

Denver - Colorado lawmakers are considering a bill that would require cat owners in the state' largest cities to microchip or tag.

A veterinary forensics program, under development by ASPCA and the University of Florida, was unveiled this week.

One of the most surprising things I learned in law school was the legal definition of "battery." A similar principle applies to the veterinarian who performs an act on an animal without the permission of its owner.