Section Newsletters

Articles From Ledy VanKavage

Illinois Animal Legislation Wrap-Up By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, September 2023 Summaries of noteworthy animal rights bills signed into law by Governor Pritzker.
National Council of Insurance Legislators Passes Model Law Preventing Breed-Based Insurance Restrictions By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, February 2023 In November, the National Council of Insurance Legislators passed a model law to protect dog owners from breed-based homeowners and renters insurance restrictions.
Herding Cats: Evolving Community-Cat Ordinances in Illinois By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, October 2022 There are many community-cat ordinances that empower individuals to act, save tax dollars, and humanely reduce the cat population. 
NBCSL Resolution on Breed Bias By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, April 2022 In December, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators ratified Children, Youth and Family Services Resolution CYF-22-23 denouncing breed specific legislation because such laws are discriminatory in nature.
Banner Year for Dogs and Cats! New Companion Animal Laws Taking Effect in 2022 By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, November 2021 Summaries of new companion animal laws that will go into effect in 2022.
Madison, St. Clair Counties adopt “no-kill” resolutions, set deadline for implementation plan By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, February 2018 For a community to be considered no-kill, all of its shelters and animal welfare facilities responsible for animal control intake must be saving 90 percent or more, collectively, of the animals entering their system.
Herding cats (The Illinois Feral Cat Task Force) By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, April 2017 The recently created Feral Cat Task Force Resolution was charged with making recommendations for changes that would result in the effective management of feral and community cats, preserve wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health.
Letter from the Chair By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, April 2017 A message from Animal Law Section Chair Ledy VanKavage.
Message from the Chair By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, September 2016 A message from Animal Law Section Chair Ledy VanKavage.
HEEL! Municipalities now restricting reckless dog owners By Ledy Vankavage Animal Law, September 2015 If a dog is deemed dangerous or vicious under the state law and there is a subsequent incident, the owner can be guilty of a felony, thus city attorneys are encouraged to utilize the state provisions.
Exotic animal resolution passes the ABA House of Delegates By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, June 2015 After much hard work and numerous amendments, a resolution regarding the ownership of exotic animals passed the American Bar Association House of Delegates Meeting in February, 2015.
New legislation affects companion animal euthanasia and increases penalties for animal abuse committed before minors By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, February 2014 The Illinois State Bar Association Animal Law Section has voted to endorse two new bills introduced in the Illinois Legislature.
The Obama Administration opposes breed discriminatory legislation By Ledy VanKavage Animal Law, October 2013 President Obama’s Administration put out a very clear statement in opposition to breed discriminatory legislation in their response to a petition on the White House’s “We The People” website
Constitutional claims and criminal charges—How to evaluate cases when police shoot dogs By Ledy VanKavage & Anna E. Morrison-Ricordati Animal Law, April 2013 While dog-shooting cases have come a long way from early decisions requiring courts to determine that a non-fatal shooting amounted to an improper seizure, the cases are almost always met with the same defenses.
Fiscal Bite & Breed Discrimination: Utilizing Scientific Advances & Economic Tools in Lobbying, Part III By Ledy VanKavage & John Dunham Animal Law, December 2010 The majority of breed-discriminatory laws result from high-profile dog bites or attacks.
Fiscal bite & breed discrimination: Utilizing scientific advances & economic tools in lobbying, Part II By Ledy VanKavage & John Dunham Animal Law, November 2010 The majority of breed-discriminatory laws result from high-profile dog bites or attacks.
Fiscal bite & breed discrimination: Utilizing scientific advances & economic tools in lobbying, Part I By Ledy VanKavage & John Dunham Animal Law, June 2010 The majority of breed-discriminatory laws result from high-profile dog bites or attacks.

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