WASHINGTON (May 30, 2024)—A Virginia owned company that bred beagles for research is ordered to pay after $35 million fine. Envigo entities pleaded guilty to Animal Welfare Act and environmental crimes tied to inhumane conditions on Monday. The case led to the surrender of about 4,000 dogs.
GW Animal Law experts are available to provide commentary, discussion and analysis of the case. If you are interested in speaking with an expert, please contact Media Relations Specialist Shannon Mitchell at [email protected].
Katherine Hessler, Assistant Dean for Animal Law at the George Washington University Law School. Dean Hessler has been a clinical law professor for 30 years, 22 of which has been teaching animal law. Hessler is the inaugural dean of animal law at the George Washington University Law School, and has helped to develop and found Animal Law Studies and curriculum at a variety of schools and centers. In addition, Dean Hessler was the chair of the Animal Law Section and the Balance in Legal Education Sections of the American Association of Law Schools.
Joan Schaffner, Associate Professor of Law, Faculty Co-Director Animal Legal Education Initiative at the George Washington University Law School. Schaffner’s scholarship focuses on animal protection law. In addition to the Animal Legal Education Initiative, Schaffner serves as the advisor to the GW Animal Welfare Project and GW Student Animal Legal Defense Fund which recently helped draft the new DC Pets in Housing bill. Ze are the Publications Officer of the American Bar Association, International Law Section, Policy Vice-Chair and Past Co-Chair of the ABA ILS Animal Law Committee as well as host of other services.