Pet Law

Dog Laws and Pet Related Litigation

Among the Few Firms Practicing in the Field of Pet Laws

The law firm of Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen, P.A. has a unique practice in the area of Pet Law. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we represent a range of clients statewide, throughout the Upper Midwest and nationwide in this niche area of the law:

• Individual owners of dogs, cats and other domestic animals
• Owners of exotic animals
• Animal rights groups
• Pet-related small businesses

Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen has been involved in a number of Pet Law civil litigation matters around the country, including successful challenges to city, county and state laws enjoining restrictions on pets and their owners. Our representation has included:

• Striking down "breed specific" dog laws, American Dog Owner's Assoc. v. City of Minneapolis 453 N.W.2d 69 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990)
• Invalidating laws allowing warrant less searches of pet owners' homes. Doe v. City of Hugo (D. Minn. 1997) and Doe v. City of Lexington (D. Minn. 1998)
• Access to data about animal-related experimentation at the University of Minnesota. ARC v. Minnesota (Minn. 1995).
• Challenges to ordinances limiting the number or types of pets allowed in a residence
• Litigation involving commercial zoning restrictions against the keeping of tigers and other wild felines. Center for Endangered Cats v. Forest Lake Twp. (Minn. Ct. App. 1999).
• See also Minnesota Council of Dog Clubs v. City of Minneapolis, 540 N.W.2d 903 (Minn. Ct. App. 1995).

The Firm publishes a regular newsletter called Pet Watch, discussing these types of issues. The Pet Law practice group is headed by Marshall Tanick, along with Teresa J. Ayling.

Marshall H. Tanick is frequently quoted in the news media on topical stories involving Pet Law. Most recently, Mr. Tanick was quoted on the Kare 11 News website.

For more information about a pet law issue, contact Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen or e-mail Mr. Tanick or Ms. Ayling directly.