This seminar on animal law does not provide an overview of the subject. Instead, there is a focus on specific topics such as the status of animals as the legal property of humans, the purpose and application of anticruelty statutes, and the coverage of the federal Animal Welfare Act. An important aspect of the legal status of animals is that very different legal consequences flow from the categorization of an animal. For instance, a rabbit may be a wild animal, a companion animal, a garden pest, a laboratory research object, or livestock for human or animal consumption. How an animal is categorized influences the extent of legal protection accorded that animal. This seminar is graded on the basis of class attendance, class participation, class presentations, and written work. Students will have the option of writing one paper of at least 25 pages in length or several shorter papers for a combined total of at least 25 pages. There is no final examination. Class attendance is mandatory, and all students will be required to take responsibility for a class presentation of 15 minutes in length. In addition, students are expected to participate in class discussions about the readings and about student presentation topics. Due to overlap in assigned readings, students who took Law 308 in Spring 2008 will not be eligible to take this seminar.