cows

Litigation – List of Cases

Filing High Impact Lawsuits that Expand the Protections for Animals Under the Law

The Litigation Program files high-impact lawsuits against individuals and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, research laboratories, and roadside zoos. We litigate cases in state and federal courts with the goal of stopping abusive practices and setting ground-breaking precedent that will establish justice for animals in the legal system. In addition to suing animal abusers, we often sue state and federal governments and agencies to invalidate laws and regulations that harm animals; and we intervene in litigation to defend animal protection laws when they are under siege from industries that abuse animals.

Nischala the tiger at Tiger Creek

Challenging Tiger Creek for Violating the Endangered Species Act

The Animal Legal Defense Fund sent notice to the National Foundation for Rescued Animals, a purported animal rescue organization doing business as Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, as well as Brian Werner Ferris and Emily Owen, for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Challenging a Florida Kitten Breeder’s Cruelty and Fraud

Challenging a Florida Kitten Breeder’s Cruelty and Fraud

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against Orlando-based kitten breeder and seller, Adorable Stars, for practicing veterinary medicine without a license, animal cruelty and neglect, and contract and tort claims.
Chicken

Challenging Foster Farms Slaughterhouse’s Illegal Water Use

The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Foster Farms, operator of a large slaughterhouse and chicken processing plant in Livingston, California, for its illegal use of vast quantities of water in violation of the California Constitution.
puppy

Suing Unscrupulous Puppy Traffickers Who Knowingly Sold Sick Dogs

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Kenney family seeking to end their deceptive marketing and sale of puppies, and to recover damages for those who were victimized by the puppy traffickers’ unscrupulous conduct.
Challenging the USDA License Renewal of Yellowstone Bear World for Violating the Animal Welfare Act

Challenging the USDA License Renewal of Yellowstone Bear World for Violating the Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against USDA and APHIS for issuing an Animal Welfare Act exhibitor’s license to Yellowstone Bear World despite the facility’s known violations of federal and state law.
monkey

Challenging the USDA’s Secret Policy on Laboratory Inspections

The agency that oversees the care and conditions of animals in research facilities said it wouldn’t outsource AWA inspections to private organizations after facing public outcry against the proposal. Then it implemented such a policy in secret.
pigs

Challenging FDA’s Unreasonable Delay in Responding to Petition to Limit Use or Withdraw Approval of Ractopamine

The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit to require the FDA provide substantive responses to petitions urging for the immediate reduction in the allowable levels of ractopamine.

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