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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... (TSP) (Animal Party Switzerland)." EVANA. European Vegetarian and Animal News Alliance, 28 July 2010. Web. 11 May 2014.
Evans, Erin. "Constitutional Inclusion of Animal Rights in Germany and Switzerland: How Did Animal Protection Become an Issue of National Importance?" Animals & Society (2010): 232-47. Animals and Society. Web. 11 May 2014.
Gerritsen, Vanessa. "Animal Welfare in Switzerland – Constitutional Aim, Social Commitment, and a Major Challenge." Global Journal of Animal Law (2013): 3-14. Tierimrecht.org. Tier Im Recht, Jan. 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.
Hickman, Leo. "The Lawyer Who Defends Animals." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 05 Mar. 2010. Web. 13 May 2014.
Nissim, Mayer. "Swiss Reject 'lawyers for Animals'" Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines, 8 Mar. 2010. Web. 13 May 2014.
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Zak, Steven. “Ethics and Animals.” Taking Sides: Science, Technology, and Society. Gilford: Dushkin Publishing Group, 2007
The modern fight for animal rights has been geared toward factory farms and the removal of animal testing and ag-gag laws. Protection for test animals and farm animals has become an important focus for many animal rights groups including ASPCA. The end of uncomfortable and inhumane treatment of animals is still a fight thousands are fighting
Supporting a lawmaker that is animal-friendly is a great way to shut down these animal abusers. Make sure to research upcoming elections and see what candidates ' views on breeding regulations and puppy mills are. Electing officials that will help ban puppy mills and put stricter breeding regulations on dog breeders will help differentiate between people who want to exploit animals for profit, and people who want to enrich the lives of others with a companion.
These regulations also cover issues such as the sex and size of the animal and the
Regan, Tom. “The Case for Animal Rights.” In Animal Rights and Human Obligations, 2 ed.. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1989.
Throughout the last century the concern of animals being treated as just a product has become a growing argument. Some believe that animals are equal to the human and should be treated with the same respect. There are many though that laugh at that thought, and continue to put the perfectly roasted turkey on the table each year. Gary Steiner is the author of the article “Animal, Vegetable, Miserable”, that was published in the New York Times right before Thanksgiving in 2009. He believes the use of animals as a benefit to human beings is inhumane and murderous. Gary Steiner’s argument for these animal’s rights is very compelling and convincing to a great extent.
In Alastair Norcross’ paper, “Puppies, Pigs, and People: Eating Meat and Marginal Cases” he describes a situation in which a man, Fred, has lost his ability to enjoy the gustatory pleasure of chocolate due to a car accident. However, it is known that puppies under duress produce cocoamone, the hormone Fred needs in order to enjoy chocolate again. Since no one is in the cocoamone business, Fred sets up twenty six puppy cages, and mutilates them resulting in cocoamone production in the puppy’s brains. Each week he slaughters a dog and consumes the cocoamone. When he is caught, he explains to the judge and jury that his actions are no different from factory farming because he is torturing and killing puppies for gustatory pleasure similar to how factory farms torture and kill cows, chickens, etc. for other people’s gustatory pleasure. You, the reader are meant to think that this is unacceptable, and therefore, denounce factory farming. Although there are many valid objections to this argument, I am in agreement with Norcross and shall be supporting him in this paper. I think the two most practical objections are that (1) most consumers don’t know how the animals are treated whereas Fred clearly does, and (2) if Fred stops enjoying chocolate, no puppies will be tortured, but if a person becomes a vegetarian, no animals will be saved due to the small impact of one consumer. I shall explain the reasoning behind these objections and then present sound responses in line with Norcross’ thinking, thereby refuting the objections.
Gunnarson, Helen W. "Animal law comes into its own: as Americans place more value -
On the other hand, just as there are laws there are many weak laws that have been enforced to protect animals from cruelty. As a matter of fact not only are the laws weak, but they are also rarely enforced. The reason being is because police officers and public presecutors frequently view animal cru...
“The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.”(Arthur Schopenhauer)
Morrison, Nick. "Animal Rights and Wrongs." Northern Echo, 24 Feb. 2001: n. pag. elibrary. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
The Case for Animal Rights. Routledge, London-New York, 1988. Regan T. The Struggle for Animal Rights. International Society for Animal Rights.
Tom Regan, “The Case for Animal Rights,” in In Defense of Animals, ed. Peter Singer (Oxford:
A. A. “The Case Against Animal Rights.” Animal Rights Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Janelle Rohr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1989.
Cook, Kate and David Bowles. " Growing Pains: The Developing Relationship of Animal Welfare Standards and the World Trade Rules. " Review of European Community & International Environmental Law 19.2 (2010): 227-238. Academic Search Premier -. EBSCO. Web.