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News from Around the Continent
1 Illinois The AVMA has big plans for its 150th anniversary celebration, and they include a healthy dose of educational events and community outreach. According to the AVMA, the association has several projects and events lined up
in 2013 to commemorate the anniversary, beginning with the publication of its new book titled The AVMA: 150 years of Education, Science and Service. The book chronicles the association’s evolution and progress since its formation in 1863. Other events planned for the year include: A 1,000-square-foot traveling exhibit developed in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution that will visit 75 cities nationwide over 2 years. The exhibit explores veterinary research innovations and also presents visitors with information about human–animal relationships.
An annual convention featuring special events such as a 1-day symposium called “Understanding Our Past to Transform Our Future.” During this event, eight veterinary students will speak to convention attendees and also receive scholarship awards from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. AVMA President Dr. Douglas G. Aspros said the celebrations during the year will
make sure to focus on the members who founded the organization, as well as those who continue to usher it into the future of veterinary medicine.
2 Texas A back-and-forth battle to determine whether people can sue for the sentimental value of their pets will get a definitive decision in the Texas Supreme Court in 2013. The court listened to oral arguments on Jan. 10 and is expected to announce a
verdict within the next 9 months, according to Mason County Daily News. Veterinarians in the state will be watching intently, as the decision could have
significant financial and legal implications for their practices. At issue is a 120-year-old Texas Supreme Court ruling declaring that people are
only allowed to sue for their pet’s market value. The ruling was overturned by the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth in 2011 as a result of a couple’s lawsuit against an animal shelter employee alleging that their dog was mistakenly euthanized. Now, the animal shelter employee is appealing the ruling from the lower court. If the animal shelter employee’s appeal is unsuccessful, it could put Texas veteri-
narians in the precarious position of being devoted to providing high-quality care to patients and clients, while at the same time being exposed to potentially heavy financial penalties in the event of malpractice lawsuits.
Trends magazine, April 2013
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Note: The articles on this spread are from AAHA’s online newsletter, NEWStat.
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3 California The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) recently released its seventh annual rankings report of animal protection laws in all U.S. states and territories. According to the ALDF, the top five states with the most effective animal protection laws are, in order from first through fifth: Illinois, Maine, California, Michigan and Oregon. The states that found their way to the bottom of the ALDF’s list are, in order from 46 through 50: New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota and Kentucky. According to the ALDF, the top five list includes the same states as last year, albeit in a slightly different order. California jumped from fifth to third by strengthening its forfeiture and seizure laws, the ALDF report said. The bottom five states also had some familiar faces, as Kentucky maintained the last spot on the list for the sixth straight year. North Dakota and South Dakota also stayed in the bottom five due to their distinction as the only states without felony penalties for animal abusers.
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