Animal Law in Australia: An Integrated Approach, 2nd edition

The second edition of this highly regarded work combines the philosophical and ethical dimensions of animal law with the practical, legal and regulatory frameworks governing animals in Australia. Written in a clear, engaging and accessible style, it is suitable as a teaching text for Animal Law courses, and for the wider legal community and general reader interested in animal welfare.

The new edition has been fully revised and updated to cover recent developments in both case law and legislation across many topics including:

• dismantling of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, the regulatory oversight of animal welfare by the new Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the continuing novation of Model Codes of Practice into Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines
• key legal and administrative decisions on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the role of assistance animals
• liability of local councils in relation to Dangerous Dogs Policies
• liability of owners of companion animals who cause loss or damage
• calculation of damages for loss of a companion animal
• State legislative initiatives in preventing ‘puppy farms’ and ‘pet sweat shops’
• international family law developments on ‘custody’ of companion animals following divorce
• international case law concerning bestiality
• legislative intervention and litigation concerning the Greyhound Racing Industry
• legislative changes to the use of animals for entertainment including the Exhibited Animals Act 2015 (Qld)
• amendments to Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation with respect to the production of animal-based food products and protection of agri-businesses, including ‘ag-gag’ laws
• ACCC interventions for misleading or deceptive statements by egg, chicken and duck farmers
• action in the International Court of Justice by Australian against Japan in respect of Japan’s ‘scientific’ whaling program
• regulation of the live export trade

Features

• Comprehensive, balanced coverage of animal law issues in Australia ensures readers will gain a solid understanding of the wider regulatory regime.
• Each chapter integrates the philosophical/ethical discussion with practical issues and the legal context allowing readers to gain an understanding of the background driving current regulatory regimes.
• Written by an internationally recongnised expert in animal law
• Chapters include clear learning objectives, and further reading to facilitate depth and breadth of learning for both students and the general reader.

Book Review:

Book review by Elizabeth Dale published in the Journal of Animal Ethics, Spring 2021, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Spring 2021), pp. 114-116. Reviewed Work(s): Animal Law in Australia: An Integrated Approach by Alex Bruce.

• ‘In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this text for both lawyers and nonlawyers. The author has performed an admirable task in setting out the complexities of Australian animal law and regulation for the benefit of readers. … I do hope that new editions of Animal Law will be issued on a regular basis to keep interested readers up to date with changes in this important field.’