1. The Saga of "Tut-Tut," "Bandit," "Boo Boo," and "Sadie"
Doggie Due Process
The Saga of "Tut-Tut," "Bandit," "Boo Boo," and "Sadie"

2. Altman v. City of High Point, N.C., 330 F.3d 194 (4th Cir.(N.C.) 2003)
What is a dog "at large"
What happened to plaintiff's dog?
Where was this done?
Why was this done?
What due process was provided?
How did plaintiff characterize the act in legal terms?

3. Plaintiff's Legal Claims
Plaintiff claims under 42 USC 1983
Violation of a person's civil rights under the color of law
Whose rights are violated?
What is the constitutional claim, i.e., what part of the constitution has been violated?

4. The Characterization of a Dog
What is the legal classification issue that plaintiff must address to state a 42 USC 1983 claim?
Does the Constitution mention dogs?
What class of animal does a dog fall into?
Is it an animal ferae naturae?
Is it the same as a cow?
Why?
What type of property does the court hold the dog to be?

5. Deprivation of Property
Must the government pay compensation if it takes this sort of property?
Is this a taking?
How does the government characterize killing the dogs?
Did the court find the dog had been seized?
Is a seizure the same as a taking?

6. Court's Factual Analysis
What are the self-defense issues?
Should these matter?
The dissent says that this was a clear constitutional violation based on violations of federal law
Did the majority find a federal dog protection act?

7. Add the Adlaw Context What is the Mathews analysis for this case?
What is justification for the summary action?
How is the dog like the bad chicken in North American?

8. Qualified Immunity
We will return to this later in the course when look hard at 42 USC 1983