Professor Baum Presents Lead Talk at Animal Law CLE
September 20, 2012
Professor Marsha Baum was the lead speaker at the first Animal Law CLE sponsored by the newly formed Animal Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico. Baum spoke on the constitutionality and practical limitations of breed specific legislation (BSL), more commonly known as pit bull bans or restrictions on owners.
While Baum's presentation discussed national trends on the issue, she also provided information on the current state of BSL in New Mexico, specifically the new ordinance in the village of Elephant Butte, which requires insurance coverage for owners of certain breeds of dogs and the effort made to introduce a bill to designate mixed pit bull breed dogs as dangerous dogs under the state dangerous dog law. Baum teaches and researches in the area of animal law, as well as property, intellectual property, ethics and commercial law.
The CLE included presentations on dangerous dog and animal cruelty prosecutions by speakers including Doris Duhigg (`94) and Judy Durzo (`85), along with special guest Diane Balkin, a former prosecutor in the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
