Veterinary & Animal Ethics

Chapter 1: The Basics of American Law.

"Moral and ethical constraints are as important as the legal constraints imposed on the veterinary profession" (p. 2). Since Watergate and other ethical and mortal dilemmas in our world, the author explains that most veterinary schools have now added moral and ethical courses to their curriculum. While the difference between an actual law and a code of ethics is the enforceability, a code of ethics seems validated in order to influence the actions of the members of a group.

However, American laws may be written and unwritten, and classified in civil and criminal categories. Civil law has two major subdivisions, contract law and tort law. Criminal law "defines the boundaries of the relationship between the individual and society" (p. 5). America's legal system is usually called an adversary system of justice and has various components, including an unresolvable issue which may require a court trial; the use of an impartial tribunal, namely the judge and jury system; and the need for equality in competence of both defenders and prosecutors, which permits questions to be asked by attorneys. This differs in Continental law, where the judge is the interrogator. Any decision is, of course, open for appeal. However, the chapter suggests that alternative methods for settling disputes may be less time- and money-consuming.

Chapter 2: Veterinary and Animal Ethics.

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hapter 8: Contract Law A contract is an agreement between two or more parties. Three elements included in a contract are an offer, an acceptance, and consideration as well as the subjective elements, an intent to contract, and a meeting of the minds. There is a code of law called the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). "An acceptance by a client for veterinary care is implied, for example, if an animal with a medical problem is dropped off at a veterinary hospital with information about its symptoms, but with no direct communication between doctor and the animal's owner" (p. 193). This is an implied acceptance. In many cases, a printed form is used. Here the animal's owner, for example, has a chance to read the contract and what it provides and/or limits. Having read and signed this form is clear acceptance. As a result, there is the factor which justifies the enforcement of a promise or the thing bargained for. In other words, the doctor can then treat the animal, having been given the client's approval and consent to do so. Failure to perform may mean that the client can sue for damages. The law is not set up to compel people to perform precisely what was promised but rather to place a monetary value on poor performance or lac
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Approximate Word count = 4107
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page)

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