In a nationwide referendum, they've defeated a proposal calling for lawyers to be appointed on behalf of animals that have been abused by humans. Opponents argued that existing laws are sufficient, and providing lawyers for animals would be too costly for taxpayers.
Animal rights advocates contended that Switzerland's elaborate animal welfare laws aren't being enforced.
Official results showed that 70.5 percent of voters cast their ballot against the proposal, which would have extended nationwide a system that has been in place in Zurich since 1992.
Some 29.5 percent of voters backed the proposal, with turnout at just over 45 percent.
