Animal Advocates Changing Vets' Hearts and Minds

by Sherry Morse

Years of sustained effort by animal advocates seem to be having a positive effect on the veterinary profession.

In July, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) delegates drew up a resolution to rethink whether or not sow gestation stalls should still be considered 'welfare appropriate.'

The resolution was put together after an hour's heated debate, and, to the surprise of many, most of the language was taken directly from a resolution submitted by Farm Sanctuary - an animal advocacy group which has proposed the resolution for the last five years at the AVMA's meeting.

For the veterinary profession to amend welfare standards for farmed animals, and become involved in animal law, may not seem groundbreaking, but according to those familiar with the profession it is almost revolutionary for these changes to be taking place.

Jim Wilson, who is a veterinarian and a lawyer, says, "On a whole, veterinarians don't grasp the importance of these issues as they relate to the changing status of animals. The result is most still think of animals as nothing more than property when society's moving to anthropomorphize them."

State laws have also changed over the last few years as a result of campaigning by animal advocates. Now, statutes in many states provide broader legal protection for animals than before, with more than 40 states classifying animal cruelty as a felony, and 18 states making animal abandonment a crime.

In some states, judges have allowed lawsuits relating to emotional damage due to the loss of a companion animal to go through the court system.

In 2000, Tennessee became the first state to grant animal guardians rights to pain and suffering damages as well as punitive damages related to the loss of a companion animal.

Illinois passed a similar law last year and similar bills are before the legislatures of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Many veterinarians worry that such lawsuits may drive up their malpractice insurance costs - as has happened with people doctors - and that they would then have to raise their fees to help pay for this insurance.

There is also disagreement within the veterinary profession on changing the designation of those with companion animals from "owners" to "guardians".

Animal advocates feel that the change reflects the level of care and responsibility people owe their companion animals, but veterinarians believe that the label change carries implied legal authority which could have unforeseen consequences.

However, animal advocates are not the only forces acting on veterinarians these days.

Dr. Dick Schumacher, executive director of the California Veterinary Medicine Association (CVMA) says, "There's a lot of disagreement within the veterinary community on what our positions should be."

The CVMA has formed a task force of lawyers, veterinarians and animal advocates that began meetings in December to determine whether legislation was needed to clarify the status of companion animals in the eyes of the law in California.

Dr. Schumacher has said that, "I don't think there's anybody who doesn't agree that pets are more than property."

However, those people currently advocating for animals have to patch together laws that deal with civil rights, property and product liability to bring their cases to court.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.