Animals are used for entertainment every day in American society. They are the main attractions at places such as zoos and circuses, and are regularly seen on television and in films.  While animals entertain, what rights and protections govern their use? The Center for Animal Law at DePaul University will take an unbiased glimpse at the laws and protections governing use of animals in entertainment at a day long symposium Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005.

 “Our aim is to facilitate a balanced dialogue about the use of animals in entertainment activities such as racing, TV and film, zoos and circuses,” said Margit Livingston, director of the Center for Animal Law. “Specifically, this symposium will look at the law’s role in protecting animals used in these activities, while at the same time, recognizing that many view these activities as beneficial to society.”

Gary Francione, distinguished professor of law and Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Scholar of Law & Philosophy at Rutgers-Newark School of Law, will give the keynote address. Francione, who is at the forefront of the modern animal rights movement, will present some of the legal challenges in animal law when animals are viewed as property. “If we really believe animals have moral value; if we really believe that animals are not just things, we must fundamentally change our behavior and seriously look at the matter of animal use and not just the matter of animal treatment,” said Francione.

Panels will delve into specific areas where animals are headline acts, including:

 Animal racing—horse and greyhound racing and legal efforts at reform will be featured as well as horse doping, health issues facing animals that race and the difficulty in finding homes for “retired” animals.

 Zoos—the role of zoos, including the pros and cons of keeping animals in captivity.

Animal actors in film and television—the lives of animal actors both on and off the screen, the role of legal regulation for animal actors and the use of live animals in light of advancements in computer–generated imagery and animatronics.

Circuses—legal and social issues surrounding circus animals, including a discussion of lawsuits that charge cruelty to animals and those that have been filed against animal advocacy groups.

Among the distinguished presenters will be:

Will Travers—an internationally renowned wildlife expert who is the chief executive officer of the Born Free Foundation.

Kathy Guillermo—vice president and director of laboratory investigations for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who has spearheaded PETA’s efforts to focus attention on racing’s cruelty and bring about racing reforms.

 Kym Valene—a former jockey who has worked in equine pharmaceutical sales and as regional sales manager for BurnsAdler Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Matt Lutz—sheriff of Muskingum County, Ohio, who last year was forced to protect citizens in his county by leading a police team that killed dozens of exotic animals that were released into the community before their owner killed himself.

Bruce Wagman—board member of Chimp Sanctuary Northwest and partner in the San Francisco office of Schiff Hardin law firm, where he focuses on a wide range of animal law issues.

“We hope attendees will learn about the complexity of the legal issues surrounding the use of animals for entertainment purposes and about the recent push to increase protection for animals used in racing, circuses and the like,” said Livingston.

The cost for the program is $30 for the general public, $10 for students and free for DePaul faculty and staff.  The cost for attorneys is $45 and $85 for those seeking Continuing Legal Education credit.  Costs include a vegan lunch. To register online, and for more information, visit law.depaul.edu/cal2012event, or call 312-362-8065.

About the Center for Animal Law

The Center for Animal Law at DePaul University was established in April 2002 through a gift from Dr. Florence Wissig Dunbar, a graduate of the DePaul College of Law. Recognizing animals are defenseless and in need of compassion and protection, the center’s Dunbar Program supports law students and lawyers in the field of animal law, in addition to sponsoring the training and education of humane investigators, animal welfare advocates and others working in the animal protection field.

Note to Editors: The symposium will be live streamed at: www.law.depaul.edu/cal2012event.