Switzerland is leading the world on animal law, with a referendum to be held in March on whether animals have the right to be represented in court.  

Switzerland already has high animal welfare standards, with factory farming outlawed and a law requiring people who keep ‘social’ animals as pets to keep at least two so that they don’t get lonely.

The new law, if passed by referendum, would require each state (canton) in Switzerland to employ an animal welfare lawyer to represent the needs of companion and farm animals in court, and to prosecute cases of animal cruelty.

Katrina Sharman, Voiceless’s Corporate Counsel, today said "Voiceless is delighted to hear about the upcoming referendum designed to give animals their day in court in Switzerland. We wholeheartedly support the move to provide animals with a legal voice, and will work to ensure that similar initiatives are considered in Australia in the not too distant future."

Click here to read the full article in The Australian.

To read Voiceless's interview with Antoine Goetschel, the animal lawyer featured in this article, please follow this link.

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