Animal Law Worldwide: Key Issues and Main Trends Across 27 Jurisdictions

This book provides a criminological analysis of the evolving BDSM scene in Central Europe, with an emphasis on selected post-communist countries. It explores how the region’s communist past delayed the development of BDSM communities and public discourse compared to Western Europe. Examining themes like mediatization, commodification, and globalization, the book traces the shift of sadomasochism from a criminalized and medicalized diagnosis to an accepted, consensual sexual practice. Focusing on issues of law, consent, and societal norms, this book investigates the growing online BDSM communities and the rising demand for paid services, including the phenomenon of financial domination. By analyzing professional BDSM practices, the book addresses how criminal law intersects with consensual sadomasochism, highlighting the complexities of distinguishing between consensual and non-consensual acts in both legal and social contexts. Using quantitative research, the book also presents data on societal attitudes toward BDSM in the Czech Republic, shedding light on the growing tolerance of consensual BDSM practices, even among university students. These findings are critical in understanding how legal frameworks and public perceptions influence the stigmatization or acceptance of BDSM within criminology. As the first comprehensive criminological study of BDSM in Central Europe, this book offers a unique perspective on the intersection of sexual practices, law, and society. This book offers a unique panoramic survey of the state of animal law in twenty-six countries and in the legal system of the European Union. The authors give a brief introduction to each jurisdiction, examine key issues, and formulate recommendations. The contributions provide ample opportunities for legal comparative studies touching on constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, environmental law, and administrative law, and discuss the crucial role of NGOs and civil society in raising awareness for the plight of animals. The contributions show the mature stage reached by the discipline of animal law, which is gaining attention in wider circles. The book discusses wildlife, agricultural animals, experimental animals, service animals, stray animals, and others. One of the topics is the constitutionalisation of animal welfare (with a growing number of countries amending their constitutions to include the protection of animals or considering such amendments). Other topics include the trend of moving away from the age-old legal classification of animals as mere things, and the persistent weaknesses in the implementation of legal provisions for the protection of animals. This book will be of keen interest to the worldwide animal law community, legal comparatists, legal theorists, policy makers, judges, law enforcement officials, as well as veterinary doctors. Federico Dalpane is an assistant professor at KIMEP University, College of Social Sciences. Maria Baideldinova is an assistant professor at KIMEP University, School of Law.