Police killing of companion animals and Section 1983

Ani B. Satz

Chapter 90 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, 2025, pp 345-347 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This entry discusses §1983 cases brought for police killing of companion animals in the United States. While plaintiffs have brought claims under both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, most actions are Fourth Amendment claims, as killing a companion animal is recognized as an unreasonable seizure of personal property. Courts have broadly construed whether an officer is in ‘imminent danger’ to allow thousands of animal killings a year. Only a few circuits explicitly recognize the use of deadly force as seizure of property.

Keywords: Section 1983; Police; Constitution; Fourth Amendment; Fourteenth Amendment; Imminent danger (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923666
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