Course Description
This is a practicum in which students will learn to identify,
investigate, and prosecute animal welfare crimes and ordinance
violations. In some semesters, it may include drafting
ordinances and state laws, providing an analysis of laws
presented for adoption by others, and other related tasks.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate law students will not be doing any extra work beyond
that required of the Juris Doctor students. J.D. students are
post-baccalaureate students and the workload expected of them
is the same workload expected of post-baccalaureate graduate
students. Law students are professional students, not
undergraduate students. Graduate law students are primarily
international lawyers seeking expertise in the American legal
system. This expertise is gained through exposure to Juris
Doctor courses.
Athena Title
Animal Welf Skills Prac Hrs I
Non-Traditional Format
Practicum.
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will learn local, state, and federal laws governing the treatment of animals in Georgia and the legal constraints on evidence collection.
- Students will work with professionals in the involved law enforcement communities to identify, investigate,
and prosecute breaches of these laws, as well as work with community members to come into compliance with welfare standards.
- Students will gain experience drafting the documents needed for each of these tasks.
Topical Outline
- Students in this course will engage in at least 8 hours per week of practicum work and will earn variable credit depending on the number of hours they work.
- Students will participate in a weekly two-hour seminar addressing the law, processes, and social policy related to animal welfare laws as well as the skills required for an effective animal welfare practice.
- At a minimum, students will engage in the following activities as part of their practicum work: participating in ride-alongs with animal control officers, including identifying violations and initial case preparation; working with investigators to compile evidence concerning animal welfare offenses; assisting government attorneys in conducting arraignments and trials; and presenting case studies.
- State and local animal welfare laws and ordinances
- Constitutional and other limitations on investigations
- Drafting relevant documents
- Understanding veterinary and other specialist reports
- Best practices for working with professionals across disciplines
- The rules of the various courts
- Topics may vary depending on the nature of the cases and issues on which students will work.
