Kuro
Due to exploding Pet Law and Animal Right issues and increasing client requests for representation regarding Pet Law and Animal Rights, we have the specialty in Pet Law and Animal Rights. The development of this specialty is directly attributable to our success and accomplishments as trial lawyers and litigators which has involved and continues to involve us in a tremendous diversity of all areas of law, including commercial law, contracts, family law, domestic relations, administrative law, product liability, and legal, paediatric, and all other malpractice areas.
Pet Law and Animal Rights is as diverse as life itself because it cuts across all aspects of life, including where and how you have chosen to live, whether in an apartment or a particular community where zoning laws and other rules exist; setting-up a trust fund for your companion or pet to ensure their health and well-being; pet or animal abuse; conversion; animal bite cases; marriage and divorce; family law; domestic relations; service days; leash laws; veterinary care and malpractice; burial arrangement; insurance; and, of course, rights involved in entering and participating in competitions and shows for pets and other animals. We are attorneys, lawyers, and counselors-at-law with respect to pet law and animal rights.
We are and have been General Counsel to not-for-profit entities of and relating to dogs, cats, birds and other animals. We are successfully representing clients in a wide, diverse variety of pet-custody cases, landlord-tenant, co-op and condo cases.
Michael J. Devereaux Presented “The Link: 88% of Homes With Abused Animals Had Family Violence – Violence Engenders Violence,” at the Empire State College Colloquium
The Colloquium included being on the Panel With Panelists Dr. Kevin Woo, of the Center For The Study Of Pinniped Ecology And Cognition(“C-SPEC,” at http://www.sfc.edu>www.sfc.edu and on Facebook); Jennifer Abrams, Supervisor of the Behavioral Department at the Animal Care & Control of New York City; Dr. Kristi Biolsi, of the Center For The Study Of Pinniped Ecology And Cognition(“C-SPEC,” at www.sfc.edu and on Facebook); Julie Hecht, MSc (canine behavioral researcher and science writer in New York City, on Twitter @DogSpies in Scientific American at blogs.scientificamerican.comdog-spies); and Dr. Katherine Miller, Director of Anti-Cruelty Behavior Research for the ASPCA.
Michael J. Devereaux, Esq. presented the “Link,” lecture on Friday, October 3rd at the Empire State College Colloquium held on the campus of Empire State College, 325 Hudson Street, New York City, which brought together a diverse and wide spectrum of speakers, including Dr. Kevin Woo, Dr. Kristi Biolsi, Julie Hecht, and Dr. Katherine Miller.
Here is a link to the Colloquium Power Point presentation.
May 7, 2014 – Animal Abuse and Family Violence: A Training Program
The NYC Family Justice Center, Queens hosted “The Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence: A Training Program” on May 7, 2014. History and quite literally centuries of research prove that animal cruelty, including violence against animals is an established indicator of human violence, including domestic violence and child abuse/neglect. Eighty-eight per-cent(88%), of homes with abused animals have family violence. Criminals, including the very worst in history, including, most recently, Jeffrey Dahmer, the Columbine school shooters, and the BTK killer, Denis Rader all had a history of animal violence. Michael J. Devereaux has been lecturing as often as possible throughout the country, including the State and City of New York on this “link,” advocating for mandatory cross-reporting in the State of New York to statutorily put in practice what we’ve known for centuries that animal violence establishes a propensity to human violence. Other countries throughout the world mandate cross-reporting, and other states in our country mandate cross-reporting but not yet the State of New York.
Here’s a link to the power-point presentation: “The Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence: A Training Program” presented on May 7, 2014 at the NYC Family Justice Center, Queens, 126-02 82nd Avenue, Kew Gardens, NY 11415.
Mandatory Cross-Reporting Of Animal And Child Abuse Protects Domestic Violence Victims And Animals
The enactment in 1999 of the felony cruelty laws expressly noted “[t]he connection between animal abusers and violence towards humans,” in its legislative findings.1 The Amendment of the Family Court Act in 2006, expressly noted the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, stating: “often abusers, in an effort to control and threaten their partners, harm or kill their pets.”2 Margaret Mead stated “[o]ne of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it.”3 “Animal abuse has received insufficient attention as one of a number of red ‘flags’ – warning signs or sentinel behaviors that could help identify youths at risk for perpetuating interpersonal violence and youths who have themselves been victimized.”4
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Wild Bird Fund
We have assisted in the development and establishment of New York City’s very first Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: href=”http://www.wildbirdfund.org/”>www.wildbirdfund.org. Our Certified Service Dog Kuro rescued Dylan, who was hit by a vehicle and found injured in the middle of the street during a thunderstorm at Battery Park City’s West Thames Street and South End Avenue. Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s Rita McMahon tended to Dylan’s broken wing and injuries. Dylan was successfully saved, and rehabilitated and re-joined a flock: www.wildbirdfund.org. Kuro has successfully rescued several birds throughout the City. The Firm has been and continues to act as WBF’s General Counsel. Michael J. Devereaux is greatly honored to have been nominated and voted on to serve on WBF’s Board.
Pet Law Custody Case
The goldendoodle “Lucy,” became a media sensation, the subject of intense media attention, including numerous talk shows, newspapers and websites when a custody battle broke out over Lucy…
Full article and links to pleadings, motions, hearings and appellate work.