Law & Ethics

Montana now allows horse-processing plants to be built within its borders, and a handful of other states soon may do likewise.

As more governments look to enforce mandatory sterilization, the AVMA is standing firm in its opposition to the programs.

There are new reasons to exercise care during initial examinations.

Washington -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will host additional listening sessions regarding the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Dakota.

Is it legal to break up packages?

It's been difficult to hear persistent reports about unwanted or abandoned horses in recent months. But here's the good news: You can help save unwanted horses. And in some cases, finding ways to help the animals you love can even lead to increased client confidence and trust.

Legislation targeting breeders is becoming quite common. But state veterinary medical associations usually don't get involved.

Tallahassee, Fla. -- A bill that started as a mandatory spay/neuter proposal and was altered into a sterilization fundraising program has been dropped altogether by Florida lawmakers.

Montpelier, Vt. -- Vermont lawmakers have approved a bill that aims to protect animals and children from ingesting antifreeze.

The House of Representatives is considering a bill to ban transporting horses in double-deck trailers.

For nearly 20 years, equine dentistry has been considered a veterinary act in Oklahoma.

A new law that could ban ownership of nonnative animals is being debated in Washington.

Columbus, Ohio -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is targeting Ohio's farming practices in an effort to change housing requirements for farm animals.

Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio is the latest state to take on so-called "puppy mills." Legislation was introduced last week that would establish stringent guidelines for those operating breeding kennels in the state.

Pets die every day, but when it happens on the veterinarian's table should the doctor be forced to pay?

New legislation would prohibit euthanization of healthy wild horses and burros on federal lands.

Finding ways to generate revenue and cut costs can make you indispensable

Phoenix -- The Humane Society of the United States filed a class-action lawsuit against Petland Inc. and the Hunte Corp. for allegedly selling "unhealthy puppy-mill puppies to unsuspecting customers."

Wisconsin - Veterinarians in the rural Midwest were warned of a possible new trend -- teen-aged girls reportedly taking veterinary medications meant to induce abortion in cows to perform their own abortions.

Springfield, Ill. - An Illinois Senate bill that would have labeled cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking as "animal torture" was cut to the point of removing all substantial policy change.

Washington -- A mandatory animal identification tracking system is the most effective way to minimize an animal disease outbreak.

The moment of a pet's euthanasia nearly always is difficult for the owner and is troubling for the veterinarian.

National Report - A new federal law will make it easier for workers to file wage-discrimination lawsuits. Lawyers are cautioning veterinary experts.

Columbia, S.C. - Veterinarians and animal-welfare groups are among those named in civil lawsuits filed by two members of a South Carolina family after they were charged with animal abuse.

When and why clients are euthanizing their pets is changing. Talk about it here.

Sacramento, Calif. -- A bill with a history going back to February 2007 that was scrapped by lawmakers in September and would have required mandatory sterlization of dogs and cats older than 6 months has reappeared on the California Senate floor.

Sacramento, Calif. -- A California lawmaker is seeking to make cattle tail docking illegal.

Denver, Colo. -- Legislation introduced last month in Colorado that would have limited the number of dogs breeders could keep and mandate veterinary certification exams for commercially bred dogs has been set aside indefinitely.

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois may declare ear cropping and tail docking "animal torture" if a bill introduced in late January is passed.

Albany, N.Y. -- All dogs in New York may have to be microchipped and identified in a state registry if a new bill makes it out of committee.