The aim:
1. Broadening the knowledge of legal protection of animals in Poland.
2. Acquiring the ability to control various views of the animal rights.
3. Developing skills in legal solutions in the context crimes against animals.
4. Preparing students for understanding of substantiv and procedural law in relation to animal welfare.

Acquired knowledge:
1. Having knowledge about legal protection of animals in polish legal system.
2. Having knowledge of case law regarding crimes against animals.

Acquired skills:
1. Ability to analyze sources of information in relation to animal rights.
2. Ability to search for legal solutions in relation to animal welfare.
3. Ability to solve cases related to legal protection of animals.

Acquired social skills:
1. Ability to analyze the views of the doctrine and jurisprudence in relation to animal rights.
2. Ability to resolve case studies in relation to crimes against animals.

Course contents: 
1. Introduction to animal law.
2. Animal’s right – the conceptual analysis.
3. Philosophical, ethical and psychological aspects of the cruelty to animals.
4. The animal as a victim of the human activity from the perspective criminology and victimology.
5. The concept of animal welfare.
6. The legal protection of animals as a part of family abuse protection system.
7. Vegetarianism and veganism in the philosophical approach.
8. Criminal law protection of animals.
9. Animal shelters.
10. Stray cats.
11. Animal protection in Poland.
12. Animal protection in selected countries.
13. Feminism and animal rights.
14. Animal experiments.
15. Animal cruelty as a “gateway” crime.