America- coming to a court near you- lawyer for your dog when he poops on someone' - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 03-25-2010, 09:54 AM

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court. Animal rights groups had proposed the move, saying that without lawyers to argue the animals' case, many instances of cruelty were going unpunished.
But the measure was rejected by around 70% of voters in a referendum.
Opponents had argued that Switzerland did not need more legislation. The government had opposed the idea.
Voters were almost certainly swayed by worries about how much such a system might cost taxpayers, and by objections from Switzerland's farmers already struggling with reduced subsidies and falling milk prices.
Switzerland already has some of the strictest animal welfare legislation in the world.
Pigs, budgies, goldfish and other social animals cannot be kept alone; horses and cows must have regular exercise outside in summer and winter; and dog owners have to take training courses to learn how to care for their pets.

#2 03-25-2010, 10:03 AM

I was tempted to laugh, but I do like most animals more than most people.

strelnik · #3 03-25-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court. Animal rights groups had proposed the move, saying that without lawyers to argue the animals' case, many instances of cruelty were going unpunished.
But the measure was rejected by around 70% of voters in a referendum.
Opponents had argued that Switzerland did not need more legislation. The government had opposed the idea.
Voters were almost certainly swayed by worries about how much such a system might cost taxpayers, and by objections from Switzerland's farmers already struggling with reduced subsidies and falling milk prices.
Switzerland already has some of the strictest animal welfare legislation in the world.
Pigs, budgies, goldfish and other social animals cannot be kept alone; horses and cows must have regular exercise outside in summer and winter; and dog owners have to take training courses to learn how to care for their pets.

Wanna bet it won't come up as a tack-on to health care, gun legislation or a highway bill?

PaulC · #4 03-26-2010, 03:04 PM

My dog's attorney claims that placing my dog on a leash is a civil rights violation, and any attempt to quiet him when he is in the back yard kennel barking at an owl at 2 AM is a violation of his freedom of speech. My trial starts in three weeks.

MTI · #5 03-26-2010, 05:31 PM

What a setback for the Swiss attorneys, they could have gotten really fat just on the paternity suits.