In almost 30 years of professional experience, I have committed myself to those who have no voice - animals. I have worked on the most interesting criminal cases and know their legal pitfalls. My experience ranges from animals in private law, constitutional law, administrative and criminal law through to animal ethics and animals in society.
From 2007 to 2010, I was the "lawyer for animal protection in criminal matters" in the Canton of Zurich and have officially represented animals in trials against animal cruelty and violations of the animal welfare law. I have significantly contributed to the legislative approach in Switzerland which has led to animals no longer being viewed as “a thing” in legislation but considered living beings. Working as an animal lawyer, I have been involved in more than 700 cases. In addition to this, I initiated the establishment of the "Würde der Kreatur" (dignity of creation) in Switzerland's Federal Constitution.
My experience in working with universities and teaching at the Zurich Law School, as well as my four-week lecture series in Australia in 2013 and many other conferences worldwide, have given me much joy and confidence in speaking to large, academic, politically interested and critical audiences.
Animal lawyer
International Animal Law and Ethics Consultant
As an international consultant for animal law and ethics, I am available to governments, animal welfare organizations, universities and media representatives as a guest speaker and expert assessor.
If I may assist you with legal or ethical issues, with preparing analysis on an animal's legal status in your country, with creating solutions or legal documents, or by appearing as a guest lecturer at your university, please follow the link below.
Click here for more information.
For individual questions on animal protection law, please consult the book "Tier im Recht transparent" or the legal information provided by the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (+41 (0) 43 443 06 43).
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Mahatma Gandhi
I am convinced that it is of great importance for us, as individuals and as a society, to shape a healthy relationship with animals; one that will do them justice and one that will provide us humans with a good conscience. If we reject this relationship, be it on purpose or out of ignorance, moral neglect will pursue that will negatively affect long term human relations.
So how do we treat animal protection in general, particularly when there is no consistent behavior or thinking among the majority of the population? It does not help to point the moral finger to holes in the system when there is possibly no system in existence.
The two cornerstones for the protection of animals are animal ethics and animal welfare legislation. One is the necessary basis for the other in terms of application. Coherent and consistent legislation for the protection of animals is dependent on ethical foundations. These principles must be made by theologians and philosophers. Clear ethical concepts are the basis for a legal system. The reason why animals should be better positioned in law is fundamental. It is easy to advocate animal protection in general and to raise them humanely, but when it comes to intricacies an ethical foundation is essential.
One of the most important recognitions of modern times is animal dignity. It is therefore crucial that we perceive animals in their entirety and grant them not only welfare rights, but also integrity, in other words appreciating their intrinsic value. It involves much more than simply preventing suffering and pain. If one takes the concept of dignity as a basis, not only relatively straightforward questions on livestock production and slaughtering are addressed, but others such as the keeping of pets, the use of animals for therapeutic purposes and the their use as "love objects".
By incorporating the "Würde der Kreatur" (dignity of creation) in the Federal Constitution in 1992 and subsequently in the Animal Welfare Act, Switzerland has made a promising start in this context. Other countries have since followed.
In recent years, I have observed a growing interest to improve the legal position of animals and I am offering my experience and knowledge more and more to international lobbying groups. Here, I advocate for the substantive and structural improvement of the legal status of animals in the constitution, in law and in law enforcement.
Talks and Lectures
- Tierwelt, Article «Wo darf der Hund, wenn er mal muss?», January 2020
- University of Zurich, Lecture «Tierärztliches Berufs- und Vertragsrecht», May 2020
- TELE TOP, Article on «Fleisch essen», May 2020
- «Für Sie», Article «Was macht ein Tieranwalt», July 2020
- "Ein Herz für Tiere" Article on the dignity of animals, gaps in law implementation, enforcement and training.
- Participation in the film project «Animal Empowerment», «Die Ermächtigung der Tiere» mit, April 2019
- Article in the «frei denken.» - Weil wir Tiere sind ...Tierrechte, Tierschutz, Tierethik, Mai 2019
- Broadcast TierrECHT on the private channel QS24, Interviews, September - October 2019
- Animal Voice Issue 83, Interview «Animal Protection is knocking at UN's door», October 2019
- Rundschau SRF, Interview on an animal welfare case, October 2019
- Interview «doppelpunkt», Auswege aus dem Schweizer Vollzugsdefizit im Tierschutz, die Forderung nach Tierschutz in der Lehre in der Schweiz und global, November 2019
- «Schweiz aktuell», Interview on the Gansabhauet, November 2019
- Animal Justice UK, Interview, December 2019
- Speaker at the third world congress «Global Animal Law» in Hong Kong, 2018
- Speaker at the «Awselva Conference» in London
- Speaker at the Equestrian Sports Convention at the Tierspital Zürich «Gedanken zum Umgang mit Tierschutzaktivist(inn)en»
- Lecture in the SRF (Schweizer Radio Fernsehen), Interview «Forum zu Spitzenmedizin Tiere», April 2018
- RTL Online, April 2018, Interview on questions related to the animal in law
- Article in the magazine «xund» about «Das Gesetz ist ein nützliches Instrument für besseren Tierschutz», April 2018
- Sonntagsblick, Article «Der für die Tiere spricht», August 2018
- NZZ Format, Interview about the film «Wir und das Tier – verehrt oder verzehrt», October 2018
- Westdeutscher Rundfunk WDR, WDR Zeitzeichen Interview about the «Reichstierschutzgesetz», November 2018
- Speaker at the „Global Animal Law“ congress in Barcelona with the launch of www.globalanimallaw.org
- 24th New Zealand Companion Animal Conference in Auckland, New Zealand
- "Voiceless" - a four-week lecture series in Australia
- St. Hubert Department at the Senate in Paris
- Contribution to the film "The Ghosts in Our Machine"
- La Coscienza Degli Animali, Milan, Italy
- University of Graz, Austria
- La Coscienza Degli Animali, Rome, Italy
- IAHAIO World Conference on "The Animal in the Law - A Global Perspective", Stockholm, Sweden
- McGill University Symposium on "Political and Legal Animal Welfare, Role and Instruments ", Montreal, Canada
- FOMA Conference on "Political and Legal Animal Welfare, Role and Instruments", Barcelona, Spain
- IAHAIO World Conference on "The Animal in the Law - A Global Perspective", Tokyo, Japan
- National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina - "Challenges to the veterinary profession from the animal in law"
- University of Heidelberg - "The animal in law and the regulatory postulate"
- Cambridge University - "Animals in European Laws - legal aspects of human-animal bonds"
Principles
I see myself as an intermediary between universities, animal welfare organizations, legislators and the media for establishing animal welfare on a legal and ethical level.
My orientation is practical in nature. While the tasks of universities are related to theoretical or scientific research, the role of animal welfare organizations is often limited to uncovering abuse although the legal approach is often neglected. Solutions acceptable to the majority are rarely expected by these organizations.
For me, the solution lies in cooperation between universities, government, animal welfare organizations, the media and implementation at legislative level. I show understanding for all parties - the Federal Council, the universities, the farmers and the media.
Independence is important to me. I have detached myself from all organizations to preserve my freedom in thought and action. I lobby for animal interests as a freelancer.
In a long-term study and with the help of the "Foundation for Animals in Law", I have analyzed the legal status of animals in about 30 countries and have an extensive knowledge in international comparative law.
I share my knowledge and concerns with the outside world by giving countless radio, TV and magazine interviews, nationally and internationally.
I speak German, English and French fluently.
The GAL project
GAL is an independent and globally pioneering authority on animal health and welfare in law. The association was established by me in Zurich in 2016.
GAL's global approach includes the idea of "One Health" for a healthy planet with healthy people and animals living in harmony. Animal health is understood as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
GAL focuses on realistic, sustainable and expansive steps to move forward and strives to act in practical and beneficial ways. In collaboration with national and international institutions, GAL supports respective legislators in taking the next steps to develop key measures that will help ensure the legal protection and welfare of all categories of animals: Pets, livestock, laboratory, sport or wild animals.
GAL's work is based on 4 pillars: prevention, legislation, enforcement and information/education.
More information at www.globalanimallaw.org.
