Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Swiss Grant Rights to Animals, Considering Same for Plants

New mandatory classes for dog owners and fisherman.

From "Swiss Grant Rights to Animals, Consider Same for Plants, Liberalize Abortion Laws" by Michael Baggot, posted 4/29/08 at LifeSiteNews.com

The nation that liberalized its abortion laws in 2002 is now giving unprecedented protection to animal and plant life.

In an effort to respect the needs of "social species," the Swiss parliament passed legislation last week that threatens its citizens with punishment for not providing various animals a fit environment in which they can interact and flourish.

Enjoying the most extensive protection under the new laws, dogs proved to be the Swiss parliament's best friend. Prospective dog owners will now be required to complete a course in canine treatment that will include both theoretical and practical elements.

Due to concern over recent studies suggesting the pain experienced by fish, anglers are now subjected to a preparatory course on humane fishing.

...In addition to tending to the animal kingdom, the Swiss government has also been busy wrestling with how best to treat the nation's plants.

The Swiss federal government's ethics committee on non-human biotechnology has been working to determine what kind of research respects "plant dignity" enough to be eligible for government funding.

Read the whole unbelievable story.