Cat Davies gives us a quick rundown of an important day in the calendar…

Were you paying close attention when the UK moved to ban XL Bully’s?

Do you find ways to casually include the Pet Abduction Act in every day conversations?

Did you finding yourself caring more about the poor tigers in those cages than whether or not Carole Baskin killed her husband?

Yes?

Then allow me to introduce the second annual National Animal Law Day, organised by the UK Centre for Animal Law, which takes place on July 22^nd.

Firstly, who are The UK Centre for Animal Law?

This charity aims to create a world in which animals are fully protected by the law, advocating for legislation that is not only robust, but also properly enforced. They do this by providing training, resources and events to increase both education and awareness around these issues.

On Animal Law Day, A-LAW will ask lawyers (and future lawyers – like you) to raise awareness of animal law, by sharing both legal wins, and areas in which they feel the UK law lets animals down. If animal rights are something you feel passionate about, now is a great time to get your views out there.

So why July 22^nd?

It marks the 202^nd anniversary of The ‘Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822’ (also known as ‘Martin’s Act’), receiving Royal Assent, was the first time cruelty to animals was officially an offence in the UK.

If this all sounds like your sort of thing, make sure you head over to the charity’s website. Their student membership is £10 per year, and includes resources such as how to set up an Animal Law Society in your university. You can also join their Cecilia Mooting Competition which takes place each year and was, incidentally, founded by a City student in 2019. If that’s not for you, you can enter the essay competition, which is a chance to get your work published in the UK Journal of Animal Law alongside a £100 voucher.

For more information, head to their website!