InfoAnda - Swiss to vote on lawyers for abused animals

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Asia trip takes Obama White House into Myanmar time warp | | 20 November 2012
US unveils plan to engage Myanmar | 24 September 2009
Meet the lawyer who guards the door at the Oscars | 3 March 2010

Neil Diamond to join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | | 15 December 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Swiss to vote on lawyers for abused animals

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Swiss to vote on lawyers for abused animals AFP - Saturday, March 6 Send IM Story Print A group of red parrot fish are displayed in a tank. In a country that already outlaws flushing goldfish down the toilet and protects "social" pets' need for company, Switzerland will vote on whether abused animals deserve lawyers. ZURICH (AFP) - – In a country that already outlaws flushing goldfish down the toilet and protects "social" pets' need for company, Switzerland will vote Sunday on whether abused animals deserve lawyers. Legal representation in cases involving mistreated animals has been compulsory since 1992 in the Zurich canton. But pet politics could be taken to a new level if voters extend the right to the other 25 mini-states. "It is not about Paris Hilton's dog now needing a lawyer to represent its interests," said Antoine Goetschel, Switzerland's only lawyer mandated by his canton in Zurich to handle animal welfare cases. It is about protecting animals who are harmed by the very people who are meant to take care of them, said Goetschel who is "very happy" about the referendum debate. The quirky lawyers-for-animals poll is a new example of Switzerland's "direct democracy" in which any citizen who collects 100,000 signatures from eligible voters can force a nationwide referendum on their chosen cause. Why not beaten dogs or cats left freezing on a snowy Alpine mountain? Among the 50 cases Goetschel is dealing with at the moment is one of a horse that was stabbed 30 times before it died. Past cases of extreme animal lovers include a person who kept 150 cats but could not take care of them. "The animal welfare attorney is such a visionary and wise instrument because the animal has a voice in criminal procedures against the person who usually has the responsibility for it," he noted. The problem is that the animal has "no rights", unlike humans who can prosecute the person who has caused harm, said Goetschel. Environment groups, the Green and Socialist parties are supporting the initiative. But the government, parliament and the country's biggest party, the far-right Swiss People's Party, are against. The strongest opposition is in the countryside. "It will generate too much bureaucracy," complained Urs Schneider, spokesman for the Swiss Farmers' Union. "Switzerland already has existing laws to protect animals," he told AFP. Switzerland has indeed one of the world's most comprehensive laws on animal rights, said Goetschel, who has researched legislation in several countries. Under laws revised in 2008, people wanting to get rid of a fish cannot flush it down a toilet bowl alive. It must be knocked out, killed and then its body disposed of. Sociable household pets such as budgies and hamsters cannot be left alone. Even sheep and goats must have at least a "visual contact with their fellows". Goetschel said an offender could get a three year jail term, but this is rare, and most perpetrators can expect a small fine. Goetschel and Samuel Debrot, who heads the Vaud canton's Society for the Protection of Animals, said the laws are meaningless if they are not applied. "Unfortunately, this law is not applied with the severity that we would like. Most of the authorities consider the protection of animals as something less important," Debrot said. Fines are too small to deter repeat offenders and public prosecutors are unlikely to appeal against unfavourable judgments, he added. "If the state attorney gets a case on massive drug violation, and another on decapitated children and then two burnt dogs come in, he says 'what the heck'. I understand that," explained Goetschel. "It would be more fair to give the animals a voice," he argued. According to Goetschel, Zurich's experience of lawyers for animals had shown that the system can lighten the public prosecutor's load. The canton paid 78,000 francs (53,000 euros/72,600 dollars) last year to him and his legal assistant for the service. Goetschel pointed out that this is far less than a typical lawyer dealing with other cases. Debrot, who has headed his society since 1986, said animal welfare had become more important because of improved living standards but also because animals are a source of comfort for many. "After the war, people were less interested, they had other preoccupations," he noted. But since the 1950s, interest in animal welfare has grown. "Despite all that we do for human beings, there are many people who are unhappy, who are isolated, there are old people. But they have animals and they place their affection in their animals," he said. A poll in November by the GFK research institute found that 70 percent of the Swiss support the proposal. However, Debrot said the vote could be close, as the proposal needs an overall majority among eligible voters and also a majority among cantons. Schneider predicted a "no" from smaller cantons, but added: "In the cities, it is a more emotional topic." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Saturday, March 6 Escape to the movies? 1 in 4 people do - poll Reuters - Saturday, March 6 Dutch Hermitage museum hosts 'pioneers of Modernism' AFP - Saturday, March 6 Snoop Dogg wins latest round in UK entry case Reuters - Saturday, March 6 India tribes fight mining firm in real-life Avatar Reuters - Saturday, March 6 News Search Top Stories New food 'surge' for Haiti: WFP US unemployment rate holds at 9.7 percent despite storms Violence in Greece as parliament approves tough cuts Violent protests hit Greece as German backing sought Greek parliament approves austerity bill More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs Scientists find early dinosaur cousin Sony to take on Apple with handheld devices: WSJ Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist Russia unveils 20-billion-dollar plan to save car industry More Most Viewed » Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist Florida killer whale to stay in park after deadly attack DNA reveals some mystery on King Tut, raises questions Scientists recreate Big Bang heat of 4 tln degrees C First footage of clouded leopard captured in Borneo More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 6 March 2010
Israeli police battle protesters at Al-Aqsa mosque
Danger lurks as ships freed from Baltic ice
US-TECH Summary
US unemployment rate holds at 9.7 percent despite storms
Web monitoring not possible with system sold to Iran: NSN
Ukraine and Russia vow 'new page' in ties
Violence in Greece as parliament approves tough cuts
U.S. Unemployment Rate Holds Steady In February
To save paper, Chinese delegates get free laptop
Treasury Department To Unveil New C-Note In April
Pakistan steps up bid to recover British boy
British PM Brown tells inquiry Iraq war was right |
Apple to launch iPad April 3
Arizona Bus Crash Kills 6
Greek parliament approves austerity bill
EU urged to level playing field for Web browsers
Paterson Suffers Setback As Another Official Resigns
Iceland PM appeals for voters to shun referendum
The CW Renews "Smallville" For Season 10
Pirates hijack tanker, head to Somalia, owner says |
Feral Hogs No Longer Living High On The Hog In South Florida
New Ukraine leader soothes Russia, no gas deals |
Abuse at pope's brother's choir, more German schools |
Dozens hurt in clashes at revered Jerusalem mosque |
Martha Stewart And Mark Burnett Team Up For Reality Show
Former concentration camp vandalized in Austria |
Web monitoring not possible with system sold to Iran: NSN
To save paper, Chinese delegates get free laptop
IPad to hit stores April 3 |
US gunman at Pentagon acted alone: police
Magnitude 6.5 earthquake shakes Indonesian Sumatra
Quake shakes Indonesia's Sumatra
U.S. nearing recommendation for September 11 trials
Strong quake strikes off Indonesia: seismologists
Turkey urges US to block 'genocide' bill or risk ties
2010 chip revenues to top pre-recession levels: iSuppli |
Philippines warns terror threat remains despite arrests
China hopes N. Korea talks can resume by mid-year
Australia launches major probe into Indian toddler's death
Microsoft to sell phones on Verizon by summer: source |
EU urged to level playing field for Web browsers |
Relatives of Indian stampede victims mourn
Arrests in Indonesia not tied to Malacca threat
Police say 12 killed in NW Pakistan suicide attack
'Wild' boys keep Japanese princess out of school
Wall Street, BOJ report push Asian shares higher
Indonesian students protest Barack Obama's visit
'No evidence of failure' after US recall fixes: Toyota
Wolfgang Puck makes everyone a winner at Oscar bash |
Dutch Hermitage museum hosts 'pioneers of Modernism'
Bullfighting debate in Spain takes political turn
Escape to the movies? 1 in 4 people do: poll |
Chile sniffer dog is Haiti quake veteran
Cambodia makes Khmer Rouge bastion tourist site: cabinet
Swiss to vote on lawyers for abused animals
2010 chip revenues to top pre-recession levels: iSuppli
British PM under fire for Iraq war defence
Brazil sentences Italian extremist in extradition row
Chile quake-area still shaking, death toll unclear |
Apple co-founder Wozniak shirks off Prius glitch
Australia police search anti-whaler ship at Japan request
Six Palestinian family members killed West Bank crash
Ashton at centre of EU turf war over new diplomatic service
Car bomb kills 4 Iranian pilgrims before Iraq poll |
Bing blocks online sex searches in Middle East: study
New food 'surge' for Haiti: WFP
Western sanctions draft targets Iran's banks abroad |
Romney Blasts Obama Policies, Wants Tea Party Within Republicans
U.S. deplores death sentence for Iranian protester
Gorbachev lashes Kremlin for failure on democratic reform
Iraqi leaders wind up election campaign
Google takes aim at Microsoft with acquisition
Homeland Security Announces 11 Airports To Get Full-Body Scanners
Google buys start-up adept at Microsoft Office files
Palestinians, Israelis clash ahead of talks |
Steady Unemployment Figures Prompt Split Interpretations On Economic Recovery
Apple iPad launch slightly delayed, on US sale on April 3
Chavez mocks Clinton as blond Condoleezza |
Al-Qaeda declares Iraq 'curfew' to thwart polls: SITE
U.S. Consumer Credit Snaps Decline, Expands In January
Iraq's religious leaders urge strong voter turnout
Xbox Live lifts taboos on race-sexual preference
U.S. Markets Jump On Better Than Expected Jobs Data
Rights experts to advise U.N.'s Ban on Sri Lanka |
Greeks divided over latest austerity measures |
New Jersey Transit Targets 25 Percent Fare Hike To Battle Deficit
Egypt president to undergo gallbladder surgery |
FBI, Police Looking At Motive Of Dead Pentagon Shooter
U.N. to start troop withdrawals from Congo in 2010 |
Italy's cabinet passes decree over election chaos |
Criticisms, Praise Welcome Shortlist For $4 Billion "Race To The Top" Program
Xbox Live lifts taboos on race-sexual preference
Prosecutor: Greed prompted Ill. fire that killed 7
US envoy urges Japan to stick to deadline for base row
6 people killed in bus crash south of Phoenix
IPad to hit stores April 3 |
September 11 suspects may face U.S. military trial
Malaysia Muslim mag sorry for offending Christians
Australia clinch Davis Cup tie with doubles win
NKorea defector tells of business deals in West
Ex-Alabama mayor sentenced in sewer debt case
Report: Tiger bites keeper to death in Chinese zoo
NATO details its Afghan night raids policy
Minimum and maximum global temperatures
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Stars protest at closure of BBC Asian Network
Arsenal manager impressed by Korean stars
China says it will move cautiously on currency
Pakistani c.bank buys 51.8 bln rupees of govt paper
Scandal-tainted 'Hurt Locker' favorite for Oscars
US deficit, debt to exceed Obama forecasts: CBO
Toyota fiasco a wake-up call for Japan's companies
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Producer Lillywhite seeking Cowell's "Idol" seat
Cult fave "T.A.M.I. Show" comes to DVD
Precious sweeps indie film awards |
"Precious" sweeps indie film awards
Producer Lillywhite seeking Cowell's Idol seat |
Dramatics founder Ron Banks, 58, dies
Slash recruits vocalist A-team for solo project |
Elton John recording album with Leon Russell
L.A. Times sells Disney front page for movie ad
Oscar producers promise fast and fierce Oscars |
Cult fave T.A.M.I. Show comes to DVD |
Oscar producers promise fast and fierce Oscars
L.A. Times sells Disney front page for movie ad |
Oscar suites break out the gifts, Twittens anyone?
Dramatics founder Ron Banks, 58, dies |
Britain's Cambridge University becomes 'hotel'
Elton John recording album with Leon Russell |
Oscar suites break out the gifts, Twittens anyone? |
Egypt president's gallbladder surgery successful
Bomb kills 4 near Shi'ite shrine before Iraq poll |
Red Cross condemns Taliban use of booby trap bombs
Gay Protections Said Invalid In Virginia Universities
On The Anniversary Of NPT, US, Russia, UN Hail New Peaceful Era
Car bomb kills 4 Iranian pilgrims before Iraq poll
Turkish PM says U.S. vote to greatly harm ties |
Egyptian PM takes over as Mubarak undergoes operation
Top Pakistani Taliban leader may be dead: minister |
Bomb in Iraq shrine city kills 3 injures 54: police
NATO backs Afghan official despite jail accusation |
Separatists clash with troops in southern Yemen |
Iran's Ahmadinejad calls Sept 11 big fabrication |
Pentagon shooter little known by neighbors
US concerned over Blackwater's work in Afghanistan
Chinese boat sinks off SKorean island; 6 missing
US military may back Somali govt offensive: report
British PM visits troops in southern Afghanistan
'Al-Qaida in Aceh' says survived Indonesia arrests
Three police, one militant killed in Aceh: police
Communist ambush kills 11 Philippine soldiers: military
Hailstorm delays sports, trains in Australia
Chinese boat sinks off SKorean island; 9 missing
Communist rebels kill 11 Philippine soldiers
Afghan lawmaker survives attack on her convoy
8 Myanmar police killed on drug patrol
Macau casino mogul Ho released from hospital
China opposes political interference in yuan policy
'Precious' sweeps Spirit awards
Slash recruits vocalist A-team for solo project
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01