TEST 2 Flashcards
ARBITRARY LAW
no rational bases for it
- Ex: everyone has to wear red on Fridays (has no meaning
- Overstretching, going too far
- Not achieving not justified
TWO TYPES OF BSL
- Specific restriction and bans -> mostly directed towards pit bulls
- Regulated via ordinances
- License, liability insurance, photo verification, and other information
- Enclosures with walls, tattoos
- Regulated via ordinances
COCHRANE V ONTARIO 2008
- He argued on section 11D “presumption of innocence”
- The onus is on the crown, they were already assuming he would be dangerous
- Despite this he lost
- Section 9 also, life liberty and security, “I have a right to the dog I want”
DOLA CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES
Ø Legislation arguably is vague, violates due process (substantive and procedural) and equality under the law
Ø On what legal grounds can we challenge this legislation?
- Freedom of expression (violates choice)
- Association (advocacy)
- Equality rights
STRICT SCRUTINY ANALYSIS
Ø Most cases face a minimum scrutiny analysis
Ø In order to constitute a challenge, the rationale for a law must be connected to a legitimate legislative objective
Ø Strict scrutiny analysis only applied when there is a question of fundamental rights - Pits are neither a class or have a fundamental right - Thus, BSL is constitutionally valid and legislated under police powers
EQUAL PROTECTION
Ø Is there a rational purpose for the singling out of a breed is the only criteria used to support the minimum degree of judicial scrutiny
Ø Equal protection is interested in: 1. over-inclusiveness or under-inclusiveness 2. Arguing on basis of reasonableness of BSL
Ø If objective of prohibition Is connected to objective of legislation, difficult to make a case for equality protections
VAGUENESS
Ø Is there a rational purpose for the singling out
Ø Procedural rules under due process (DP) are also vague (not just the substantive part)
Ø Ordinances violate DP because they do not provide sufficient information or time for owners to respond
- Plus, vet/breeder records and mixed breed types are difficult to prove
No fundamental right is at stake, therefore only a minimum
2 ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR BSL TO WORK
- Reasonableness of banning one type of based on stereotype (individually argument)
- Property classification- owners should be held accountable
- Regardless of breed, laws should aim to ensure responsible ownership
- Ex: protocols around containment, strict liability and punishment for violations
- Property classification- owners should be held accountable
What is status of animals in divorce cases with respect to property division?
Ø 3 strands (principles/theoretical approaches):
1. living property argument 2. BIP (best interest principle) 3. Property
HOUSEMAN V DARE
specific performance granted in civil dispute (refusal to turn pet over)
- Specific performance: you are entitled to perform, you must show something
Ø Emotional needs
- Healing aspect of companion pet, security, analogous to BIC standard
LEGAL TESTS- ESTABLISHING CUSTODY
Ø Property
Ø Establish claim to property title
Ø Whoever can show this, wins custody
WHAT ARE THE COURTS LOOKING FOR?
Ø You can pay expenses
Ø Receipt of purchase (grey area, could be gift)
Ø Pet establishes a bond (grey area)
ESTABLISHING CUSTODY
BIP
Ø Two criteria to be established first:
1. Custody forbidden to any party who poses immediate threat to animal
2. Bond between human and pet considered
FOCUS ON OBJECTIVIZATION (the fact that pets can’t make their own decisions)
Ø Pets can’t make their own decisions, generalization/positive obligation within legislation to do good by the animal
Ø Can take property analysis or principle analysis
WHEN PROPERTY TEST DEPLOYED (ARRINGTON V ARRINGTON 81)
- Property status (wife awarded custody while husband has visitation)
- Critique- judge used property law (claims to animal) to determine visits (doesn’t work)
BROWN V LAROCHELLE
precedent: garder Simpson v cross
- better property claim must be considered to pick between the 2
- worst result: dog is joint property
- joint property problem because they usually sell and split assets, but selling the dog would cause more pain
- when desire not to let asset leave the family, a bidding war is held , but not in the case of something with intangible value
- therefore an attempt at a principled analysis was the outcome
DV/ AA LEGISLATION
no specific legislation on family violence in Ontario, falls under criminal code