Status of Animals under Civil Law 4030-PCWZ

Topics to be covered in the course:

1) legal sources of civil law status of animals;
2) consequences of legal rule that an animal is a being capable to feel;
3) legally relevant classification of animals (animals in the wild, breeding animals, accompanying animals);
4) legal duties of persons keeping animals;
5) special regulations on certain animal species (breeding animals - including horses, accompanying animals - including dogs and cats);
6) legal duties connected with animals in the wild (according to Hunting Law);
7) civil liability for damages caused by animals (under Civil Code and Hunting Law).

Course coordinators

Wojciech Machała

Type of course

elective courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

First objective: making students familiar with legal status of animals (under civil law) and duties connected with keeping animals; Second objective: making students familiar with regulations on liability for damages caused by animals.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course a student:
- understands the legal status of an animal as a being capable to feel;
- identifies legal duties connected with keeping animals and towards animals;
- understands and describes basic rules on trade of animals (breeding and accompanying)
- identifies legal bases and scope of liability for damages caused by animals.

Assessment criteria

Test or essay.

Practical placement

None.

Bibliography

E.Kruk [red.] "Ustawa o ochronie zwierząt. Komentarz" Warszawa 2024
A.Folgier, D.Jaroszewska-Choraś, C.Siermińska-Warczak [red.] "Zwierzęta i prawo" Bygdoszcz 2025
K.Kuszlewicz "Prawa zwierząt. Praktyczny przewodnik" Warszawa 2020
B.Rakoczy "Odpowiedzialność za szkody łowieckie" Warszawa 2016