Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:10)
Nav Shukla — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
V. Victoria Shroff, KC — Shroff Animal Law and Adjunct Professor of Animal Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC, Vancouver
The Criminal Code and Crimes Against Animals (9:10 – 9:30)
- review of topical case law and sentencing trends in animal cruelty
Alexandra Janse — Senior Crown Counsel, BC Prosecution Service, Kamloops
Enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and SPCA Seizure Disputes/Appeals (9:30 – 9:50)
- enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the BC SPCA's governing regulatory legislation
- seized animal custody disputes and appeal process
Andrea I. Greenwood — Legal Counsel, BC SPCA, Vancouver
Who Let the Laws Out? Dangerous Dogs and Ownership Responsibility in Civil and Municpal Settings (9:50 – 10:20)
- overview of BC's legal framework governing regulation of dangerous and aggressive dogs, including the Community Charter (s. 49) and local government bylaws
- the intersection of municipal authority and animal control officers' powers: seizure, destruction orders, and due process considerations
- ethical and advocacy considerations for counsel representing victims, dog owners, or municipalities
- evidentiary issues: priors and the use of veterinary or expert behaviour evidence
- the civil liability landscape: negligence, scienter, under common law, and case law developments
David B. Clements — City Prosecutor, City of Vancouver, Vancouver
V. Victoria Shroff, KC — Shroff Animal Law and Adjunct Professor of Animal Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC, Vancouver
Q & A Session (10:20 – 10:35)
BREAK (10:35 – 10:45)
Fur-ever Family: Legal Frameworks for Pet Custody and Ownership Disputes in Family Law and Civil Context (10:45 – 11:15)
- analyzing the new-ish Family Law Act provisions addressing ownership, possession, and care of companion animals
- reviewing the "best interests of all concerned" standard and the factors courts consider when determining pet custody (e.g., why joint access/sharing often fails)
- strategies for drafting, negotiating, and enforcing pet custody clauses in agreements and court orders
- examining dispute resolution tools, including mediation and collaborative processes, for resolving pet-related conflicts
- reviewing emerging case law and practical considerations for counsel in family and civil practice
Stephanie L. Fabbro, KC — Hamilton Fabbro, Vancouver
V. Victoria Shroff, KC — Shroff Animal Law and Adjunct Professor of Animal Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC, Vancouver
Fur-ther Developments: Anmial Tracks in Human Rights Law (11:15 – 11:45)
- an introduction to human rights law and its intersection with animals
- a dive into seminal and recent human rights cases that (in)directly impact animals in services, housing, and employment
- takeaways and resources to navigate the intersection
Amber Prince — BC Human Rights Tribunal, Vancouver
From Resource to Rightsholder: Legal Transitions for Animals in Research and Wild Animals (11:45 – 12:15)
- international legal momentum to transition away from using animals in research
- international legal momentum for according rights to wild animal
- a comparative assessment of Canadian developments in these two areas
- scholarly optimism in animal law
Professor Maneesha Deckha — Faculty of Law, UVic, Victoria
Q & A and Closing Comments (12:15 – 12:30)
V. Victoria Shroff, KC — Shroff Animal Law and Adjunct Professor of Animal Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC, Vancouver