Experienced Animal Law and Animal Welfare Attorneys
Animal law is unlike any other area of legal practice. It often involves the intersection of civil litigation, criminal law, administrative law, nonprofit governance, municipal law, agriculture, veterinary medicine, property law, and regulatory compliance. Successfully navigating these matters requires more than a general understanding of the legal system—it requires attorneys who understand the unique legal and practical issues facing those who work with and care for animals.
Animal welfare has been a cornerstone of Holland & Muirden’s practice since the firm’s founding. Today, we are one of the few law firms in the nation with a dedicated focus on animal law. Although our offices are located in Ohio, our attorneys have represented clients, served as consultants, and worked as co-counsel in matters across the United States and internationally.
Holland & Muirden represents individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, veterinarians, animal shelters and rescues, government agencies, municipalities, and other animal professionals. Our attorneys have decades of experience litigating complex cases, prosecuting animal cruelty offenses, advising organizations, drafting legislation and policies, and providing legal education and training to attorneys, law enforcement officers, humane agents, veterinarians, and animal welfare professionals throughout the country.
Our attorneys have served as prosecutors, legislative advisors, educators, policy consultants, and trial attorneys in some of the most challenging and complex animal law matters. We combine practical experience with a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving area of law to help our clients protect their organizations, their livelihoods, and the animals in their care.
Special Prosecution for Animal Cruelty
In 1991, more than 130 dogs were seized from a puppy mill by a local humane society. The animals were suffering from living in filthy conditions, inadequate shelter, and lack of proper veterinary care. Attorney Jeff Holland helped to prosecute that case and secure a conviction.
Since that time, Holland & Muirden has grown into one of the most experienced animal law firms in the state, prosecuting thousands of animal cruelty cases in dozens of courts all over the State of Ohio; from Cleveland to Dayton, from Steubenville to Toledo, and many communities in between.
Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted animal cruelty cases of all kinds, championing new legislature and achieving ground-breaking verdicts that help shape the way animals are treated under Ohio law.
Animal Cruelty Training and Humane Education
Holland & Muirden regularly conducts training seminars for humane agents, dog wardens, animal control officers, attorneys, and veterinarians on animal law issues. Our attorneys are instructors for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy course for Humane Society Agents, a required training course for individuals acting as appointed Humane Society Agents in Ohio.
In addition to training seminars, our attorneys conduct educational presentations for nonprofit organizations, businesses, and citizens eager to learn more about legislative issues, animal caretaking issues, the state of animal cruelty laws, and more.
Our attorneys also serve as Adjunct Professors at Case Western University School of Law and Cleveland State University School of Law, where they teach classes on Animal Law.
Civil Litigation and Administrative Animal Law
Our Animal Law attorneys pursue a broad range of animal welfare and animal law issues, some of which include:
Administrative Law:
• “Nuisance Dog,” “Dangerous dog,” and “Vicious dog” designations and hearings
• Zoning issues affecting animals and/or their guardians
• Municipal code and ordinance violations
Breeder Issues
Contract Disputes
Custody Disputes
Disability Law:
• Assistance and service animals, emotional support animals, psychiatric service animals
• Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Dog Bites
Exotic and Wild Animal Issues:
• Dangerous Wild Animals
• Restricted Snakes
Equine Law and Horse Liability Issues
Farm, Agribusiness, and Livestock Concerns
Feral Cat Laws
Homeowner’s Association Issues
Landlord / Tenant Issues
Legislation Drafting
Nonprofit Organizations and Humane Societies
Nuisance Laws and Concerns
Pet Limit Laws
Pet Store / Pet Purchase Issues
Rabies and Health Department Issues
Training and Kenneling Complaints
Trusts and Estate Planning: Pet Trusts
Wildlife and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Issues
Wolf-hybrid (“Wolfdog”) Issues
Wrongful Injury
Wrongful Death
Veterinary Malpractice
Legislation
Holland & Muirden actively seeks to improve protections for animals and their owners under Ohio law.
In addition to advocacy work, our attorneys assist with drafting animal related ordinances, codes, and statutes at the local and state levels.
Our attorneys have worked on major animal related legislation in Ohio, including drafting S.B. 221, known as the Companion Animal Law, which was the first significant change in Ohio’s animal cruelty law in over a hundred years. Our attorneys also wrote the initial draft for H.B. 274, known as Goddard’s Law (2013), which provided felony penalties for certain cases of companion animal cruelty in Ohio. Our attorneys further authored S.B. 205, a legislative update to Goddard’s Law.
Our attorneys have assisted with drafting animal cruelty, bestiality, veterinarian continuing education, veterinary reporting, animal tethering, Good Samaritan immunity, pet food adulteration, cross-reporting, and humane society bills for the Ohio House and Senate, along with many similar local legislative efforts for Ohio cities.
