Switzerland has adopted new animal protection legislation which spells out in exhaustive detail how all domestic animals are to be treated, including pets, farm animals or those destined for scientific experiments. Wild animals are also covered by the law if they reside in zoos or circuses.
The new law even goes as far as to specify in great detail how fish and animals are to be treated — including how to dispose of unwanted goldfish. Under the new law, live goldfish cannot be flushed down the toilet — they must be knocked out and killed first.
The Swiss law also bans catch-and-release fishing and the use of live fish bait. Domestic animals, pets and wild animals in zoos or circuses must now be kept with at least one companion of their own species.
Additionally, dog owners must take classes on how to properly raise their canines and how to minimize their risk of biting. Most cosmetic procedures such as cropping tails and ears and surgically making ears droopy are now illegal.