dingostew.com

They say every dog has its day - and in Switzerland every dog may soon be able to have its day in court.
The country is holding a referendum on whether animals that have been mistreated can be legally represented.

Pets and livestock in the canton of Zurich can already have lawyers and voters will decide today whether to apply the legislation across the rest of the nation.

Zurich animal solicitor Antoine Goetschel already represents those beings without a voice.

He believes a 'yes' vote in the referendum is essential to stop a minority of farmers and pet owners from abusing their animals.

Not everyone agrees. Countryside unions claim the new laws will create too much bureaucracy and they argue the existing welfare legislation is already robust.

Switzerland has some of the most wide-reaching animal cruelty laws in the world.

People who are fed up with their goldfish cannot flush it down the loo alive - instead it must be dispatched with a blunt instrument and then disposed.

Laws revised in 2008 state that 'social' animals like budgies and hamsters must not be left alone and even sheep must be given 'visual contact with their fellows'.

The referendum is part of Switzerland's unique system of 'direct democracy'.

If a citizen can raise 100,000 signatures from eligible voters they can force a nationwide plebiscite.

This particular ballot is too close to call.

Although 70% of the country supports the measure, to become law it must be endorsed by the majority of cantons, which will be harder to do.

lol whats the point! if someone mistreats a dog or whatever and gets caught then they're guilty of animal mistreatment.

IF this thing goes through then after the person is caught they still have to stand trial to see if they're guilty! that just gives them an extra chance to get away with it!

I suppose though, it could come in handy for the farmers favourite sheep, who might need a good divorce lawyer!!

Bitta work for the lawyers too...

Well you'd be the one to ask!

As our resident law expert, do u think that this is silly?