Animal Rights in Germany vs. Switzerland
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For the second and final country journal assignment of the semester, I elected to compare and contrast the statutes regarding animal rights in Germany and Switzerland. While conducting my research, I came to the realization as a whole, both Germany and Switzerland often rank in the top 5 countries worldwide when it comes to discussions and statistics on environmental policies and animal rights and are considered progressive in these areas. However, though both are considered progressive countries, the methods used to enforce animal regulations, as well as the history behind the current statues, are quite different.
Animal rights activists have played a major role in changing how animals are viewed and treating in many countries, including Germany and Switzerland. The animal rights movement in Germany dates back to the beginning of the 19th century where Germany’s first society for the protection of animals was founded in Stuttgart in 1837 (Guardian 1). This society however, was not like the animal rights organizations of modern times that call for the rescue of animals or attempt to persuade people to lead a vegetarian lifestyle. Instead, the society called for the slaughter of animals to be performed in a “more humane way”. It wasn’t until 1881 that the first German organization for the protection of animals was established. The Deutsche Tierschutzcerein, or the German Animal Protection Society advocated for the creation of animal sanctuaries and protection of animals from the hands of abusers. The society received public support and garnered national attention, likely in part to the celebrity endorsement from romantic composer Richard Wagner who published a series of papers calling for Germans to live on a meat free diet (Gua...
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