August 15, 2023

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Free live for IMLA Members

Animal Law: Best Practices for City Ordinances Related to Animals

Description: The presentation will provide sound and up-to-date guidance on ensuring that animal-related ordinances are in line with current case law. The presentation will assist cities and counties in preparing their respective animal-related ordinances before legal action occurs. The presentation will provide basic ordinance guidelines and tips, as well as more specific guidance on ordinances related to dangerous dog determinations, aggressive animals, ownership, leash laws, and tethering. Several of the examples in the presentation will be related to Texas, however the presentation generally applies across all jurisdictions, based upon specific case law respective to each.

Speaker: Robyn Katz

Robyn Katz is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Austin, where she primarily works with the public safety departments, such as the Austin Police Department, Austin Regional Intelligence Center, and the Austin Fire Department.  Robyn is also a consultant for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, where she provides legal guidance concerning animal cruelty cases to law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the country. Robyn also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at St. Mary’s School of Law, where she teaches Animal Law.  Robyn has extensive experience in criminal prosecution of animal cruelty cases, as Robyn served as an Assistant District Attorney for two large counties in Texas. Throughout her tenure as a prosecutor, she primarily handled family violence and animal cruelty matters, and provided training to law enforcement and prosecutors in Texas regarding the same. Robyn also spent several years as City Attorney for several Central Texas cities, and has previously served as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section.