Zurich already has an animal welfare attorney. If a referendum passes this March, the rest of Switzerland may also have lawyers for animals.

The constitution was recently changed to enshrine rights upon animals and even plants. Apparently, that was not enough to appease the Swiss people’s love of animals.

If passed the new law would require every canton in the country to have a lawyer speak on behalf of pets and barnyard animals before the courts.

Farmers, pet breeders and the government are against it, but that probably will not be enough. This has been an issue simmering for several years. Last year, the cabinet and parliament rejected implementing the idea at the federal level. After that rejection, Swiss Animal Protection circulated petitions to get enough signatures for this year’s vote.