Switzerland already has some of the strictest animal welfare legislation in the world. Goldfish, guinea pigs, canaries and budgerigars in Switzerland cannot be kept alone, dog owners have to take training courses to learn how to care for their pets,  and from 2013 it will be against the law to keep horses tied up in their stalls.

The outcome of a national referendum in Switzerland rejected a proposal (approximately 70% rejection by voters) to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court.

Read more at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-hoof-the-whole-hoofswiss-to-vote-on-legal-rights-for-animals-1917067.html and http://www.news.pushpi.com/2010/03/swiss-reject-animal-lawyer-plan.htm which states that "the Swiss government, conscious that the taxpayer would have to pay the fees for a nationwide system of animal lawyers, has recommended voters reject the idea. And there is opposition from Switzerland’s powerful farming lobby." The second article also refers to "opposition from Switzerland’s powerful farming lobby."

See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8554012.stm which states that "Voters were almost certainly swayed by worries about how much such a system might cost taxpayers, and by objections from Switzerland's farmers already struggling with reduced subsidies and falling milk prices."