The CITES Standing Committee held its meeting in Geneva from November 27 to December 1, 2017. More than 600 representatives of governments and organizations (IGOs and NGOs) discussed the regulation of international trade in endangered animal and plant species. Many animal species are either endangered or at risk of extinction as a result of the growing international trade in live animals and animal products.

On December 11, 2017, the High Court of Zurich convicted a pigeon breeder on multiple counts of deliberate animal cruelty. In March 2011, the latter had prepared a so-called "kamikaze pigeon" with the intention of poisoning a bird of prey. The High Court confirmed the accusation of multiple animal cruelty and also significantly increased the sentencing imposed by the court of first instance. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) welcomes the clear signal on the part of the courts that such practices will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Today, the Council of States rejected the proposal of National Council member Matthias Aebischer (from the SP party/Berne) for an import ban on products obtained by cruelty to animals by 37 to 4 votes. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) is deeply disappointed that so little emphasis is put on animal welfare.

In Switzerland, animals still do not get the legal protection they deserve. With the second part of its awareness-raising campaign against animal cruelty, the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) wants to call attention to the fact that animal welfare-related offenses are still not being prosecuted consistently. The campaign was yet again designed by the renowned advertising agency Ruf Lanz.

At a media conference today, TIR presented its comprehensive analysis of the Swiss animal welfare penal practice in 2016. The number of animal welfare-related criminal proceedings reached a new peak in 2016 with 2397 cases which can be traced back to a significant improvement of the penal system. Nevertheless, there are still large differences between the cantons. This year's report examined in particular the animal welfare regulations on poultry farming and the related penal practice. It turns out that the welfare and dignity of chickens are hardly taken into account on a legal level.

On September 9, "Citizen Animal" by the German filmmaker Oliver Kyr celebrated its world premiere in Zurich. The documentary explores whether and to what extent animals should be granted civil and other rights. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) is featured in the film and was also present at the premiere.

Today is world "Stop Live Transport" day. Animal welfare organizations from around the world are drawing attention to the immense suffering of animals on long-distance transports.

TIR is happy to announce its new publication "Zulässigkeit von Beschränkungen des Handels mit tierquälerisch hergestellten Pelzprodukten" (volume 16) from its series "Schriften zum Tier im Recht". The publication examines whether a ban on the import and/or placing on the market of fur products made by using cruel production methods is consistent with Switzerland's international obligations and how such a ban could be designed and implemented in practice.

In late summer of 2017, a severe case of animal cruelty became widely known when an offender with multiple convictions for animal welfare violations and owner of many horses (hereinafter referred to as Mr. U.K.), was once again reported to the police by concerned citizens who had seen dead and emaciated horses on his property. What was particularly shocking was the fact that Mr. U.K. was still keeping well over one hundred horses on his property without any intervention from the authorities despite his multiple previous convictions for animal cruelty and other offenses.

Although most people regard animal and species protection as a matter of course back home, they oftentimes unintentionally face this problem when travelling. Not only should animal shows and direct contact with animals be avoided for reasons of animal and species protection; caution is also advised when buying souvenirs.

Today is World Ranger Day, which is dedicated to all rangers who have lost their lives or have been injured during their service. It is a good opportunity for the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) to draw attention to those who protect animals and the dangers that their work entails. Two years ago, TIR visited the Anti-Poaching and Tracking Specialists (ATS) in Zimbabwe and was able to gain insight into their work for the protection of rhinos.

Animal welfare transcends boundaries. The Stiftung Tier im Recht (TIR) is therefore pleased to announce that it can now also present important contents of its website in English.

An awareness-raising campaign by Tier im Recht (TIR) has won the prestigious "Swiss Poster of the Year" award again. Last Thursday, the campaign "Animals as Trash" was selected as the winner in all categories at the APG|SGA Poster Night. Like in 2013, the campaign was once again designed by the creative agency Ruf Lanz.