Lawyers for Animals

[RatsForever]

Here's an interesting article from CBC News:


Swiss to soon vote on introduction of lawyers for animals

Published: Thursday, July 26, 2007 | 10:47 AM ET
Canadian Press

BERN, Switzerland (AP) - The Swiss could soon be voting on whether lawyers should be allowed to defend animals in court.

The Swiss agency for the protection of animals (PSA) submitted a petition today to the federal government to introduce state lawyers for animals.

It made the request after having collected about 150,000 signatures, more than the 100,000 needed to prompt a referendum to introduce a new law.

The aim is to further crack down on the mistreatment of animals.

PSA said in a statement that while anyone who mistreats an animal can hire a defence lawyer, there is nobody to represent martyred or dead creatures.

The initiative proposes establishing animal lawyers in each state to investigate and represent the victims in cases going to court.
Continue Article

The work of the lawyers will be backed by higher fines for violations of animal protection laws.

Referendums are the cornerstone of Switzerland's system of direct democracy, and citizens cast ballots several times a year on a wide variety of questions.

© The Canadian Press, 2007

 

[jorats]

That is definitely a step in the right direction. There has to be tougher animal abuse laws. I wish Canada would do something more.

 

[Moon]

I agree with you, Jo... things need to be tougher. The fines are abismally low, barely a drop in the bucket for the bigger pet and puppy mill-ers.

I was reading about one a few years ago, that resulted in the largest single fine of only $12000 dollars. And the OSPCA wasn't even given the authority to do regular checks on the woman afterwards, so they wouldn't be able to enforce the ruling that she be banned from owning pets (for only a couple years)

:evil:

Thanks for posting this, Linda. It will be interesting to read how it pans out and if it affects things around here.

 

[Fidget]

Yee-Ha!!! Not only do the most abused of our citizens deserve protection under the law, but it's about time the justice system was shown for the dog and pony show it is..

 

[ratamataz]

That's great news! Its really a revolutionary step towards animal rights!

 

[RatsForever]

Sadly, it doesn't apply to Canada - we are terribly slow in that department.

 

[Godmother]

We could use that legislation in Canada. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "pit bull of a lawyer"!

 

[RatsForever]

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "pit bull of a lawyer"!

:lol4: