Attorney Shares Pet Peeves Over Animal Laws

Despite high-profile cases like Michael Vick and the Selden women who used her children to help abuse animals, attorney Carol Ryder says New York laws on this subject are not strict enough.

"Animal cruelty is huge, especially in this economy," Ryder said during her "The Law for Pet Lovers" presentation at the Syosset Public Library Tuesday. "People often take their stress out on the weakest link in their households, their animals."

Ryder discussed pet laws in great detail, including animal lemon laws and local animal abuse. The subject is topical, as a California proposal to create animal abuse registries–similar to sex offender registries–has other states potentially heading in the same direction.  

"I have always had a love for animals as a young child," Ryder said. "They have no voice and through doing this, I am giving them a voice."

In New York, animal lemon laws cover pets purchased from a dealer, which is defined as someone who sells more than nine dogs or cats. The purchaser has 14 days of the receipt from the pet dealer to bring the animal to the vet to be checked out. If the pet is considered unfair for purchase, the vet must fill out a certificate. Then the owner can either return the pet for a full refund or treat the pet and get a refund for the vet bill.

During her presentation, Ryder discussed the links between animal abusers and serial killers. "I have investigated many serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and so many more," Ryder said. "They all started off by abusing and killing animals and then it escalated from there. Most serial killers started off as animal abusers."

She also spoke about veterinarian malpractice. "Though many vets may not mean to, they make mistakes with treating animals that cannot be ignored," said Ryder.

If your pet suffers a horrific outcome after a vet's visit, the value of recovery for veterinary malpractice is based on the value of the animal because animals are treated as chattel under most states' laws. Also, veterinary malpractice involves another vet testifying in court that what the vet actually did was malpractice. According to Ryder, it is a very costly task. 

You can check to see if the vet has any disciplinary actions against him/her at http://www.op.nysed.gov/opd/rasearch.htm. 

As an owner of four dogs, Ryder will always fight for the animals that can't fight for themselves.

"My heart is with the weakest link–the animals," she said.

For more information, visit www.carolryderlaw.com.