Benjamin Hart, DVM, PhD, is a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UC Davis after having led the animal behavior academic and clinical program at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for over 40 years. Over the last 15 years, Dr. Hart has often served as an expert witness on animal behavior, with experience in being deposed and testifying in trials, including in dog bite cases.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
DVM (University of Minnesota), PhD (University of Minnesota, neurobiology and behavior)
ACVB: Founding diplomate (board certified) of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) of the American Veterinary Medical Association
CAAB: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB) of the Animal Behavior Society
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Honor Roll Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
Fellow, Animal Behavior Society
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Teaching the behavior and problem behaviors of animals for over 30 years
Chief of the Behavior Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital UC Davis, for 30 years
Expert witness on cases involving animal behavior, especially dog bites, for over 15 years
Consultant to pet food companies and pharmaceutical companies for over 15 years
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: 12 in the last four years
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Dog bites
Goat behavior
Dog treat patent violation
Elephant behavior
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 46%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 54%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 4 occasions
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: August 2008
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 2 occasions
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 2 occasions
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 15 years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting
Reports
Site inspections
Expert Witness
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $350
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $350
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $350
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $350
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel expenses covered
