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Mind your hush in a rush, Swiss court tells vets

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-09 09:27

GENEVA - Got a poorly pooch? Swiss vets stand ready to rush to aid but please no flashing lights or sirens, the country's supreme court ruled Wednesday.

A vet examines a dog. Swiss vets stand ready to rush to aid but please no flashing lights or sirens, the country's supreme court has ruled.[Agencies]

The Federal Tribunal ruled that veterinary ambulances cannot function like normal ones, citing road safety concerns.

"Maintaining road safety should trump the need to transport sick or injured animals in an emergency," the Federal Tribunal said in a statement.

The court made its ruling after a Swiss vets practice applied to have flashing lights and sirens fitted on its vehicles, noting that this was allowed for vets in the neighbouring countries of Austria, Germany and France.

Animal welfare is a serious and seriously-regulated business in Switzerland.

Earlier this year, pet owners were issued with a series of new regulations, including a ban on flushing goldfish down the toilet, a rule that yaks and lamas must be kept in pairs, and a guarantee of a regular shower for pigs.