All Animals Are Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others

The country recently changed its constitution to ensure the protection of the "dignity" of plant life and passed a law last year guaranteeing rights for all creatures - from guinea pigs to goldfish.

If Swiss voters approve the referendum in March, every canton in the country will be obliged to appoint a lawyer to act on behalf of pets and barnyard animals in order to protect them from abuse.

"Pet keepers think that a so-called love for a guinea pig is enough," [animal lawyer Antoine Goetschel] told The Sunday Times. "But this ignores the animal's needs as a species, such as having a companion."

So will this pit a group like PETA, that calls for pet owners to spay and neuter their pets, against the law, as that would be denying the animal's right to procreation?

Yes, abortion is legal in Switzerland - plants have their "dignity" recognized and animals have public defenders, but the yet-to-be-born human is S.O.L. Has it really come that far?