In Annecy, lawyer Olivia Symniacos defends the rights of all animals in court
Specialist in animal law, Olivia Symniacos heads a firm based in Annecy. She defends the rights of owners and animals in many cases. She agreed to deliver some practical advice in “You are formidable”.
In France, there are approximately 76 million ” clients »For Olivia Symniacos. A lawyer in animal law, she has in fact chosen to invest in the animal cause by creating a specialized firm, first in Bourg-en-Bresse, before moving, a few months ago, to Annecy.
And yet, this native of Martigues (Bouches du Rhône) especially did not want to become a lawyer, even after having joined law school. Not even a notary. ” For me, practicing a liberal profession meant fending for yourself. At the time, I thought that I could not manage on my own. And this job did not make you dream at all. “Especially since Olivia admits to hating public speaking. ” I take it upon myself »She confirms.
On the other hand, she – very early on – found an affinity with animals. From the age of 3, she admired… Allain Bougrain-Dubourg whom she followed on television. ” I still admire him! »She assures. ” I liked the relationship he had with animals. It was quite light while still being serious. He taught us a lot of things, while remaining fun. And then, I find that she is a beautiful person. She actually ended up meeting him once, and she was not disappointed.
If she has always carried them in her heart, Olivia Symniacos has not always been a pet owner. She first studied law to become a corporate lawyer. And it was then, in Lyon, far from her parents who remained in Toulouse, that she found her true path. ” We had to ripen very quickly. She became a lawyer there, finally, by a combination of circumstances, and the possibility of associating.
Then she moved to Bourg-en-Bresse, where she was not going to really speed up the life of the mayor, Jean-François Debat. ” At first I was a bit annoying. I wrote to him often, but he answered me. »A correspondence linked to the presence, at the time, of circuses with wild animals in the city. Relations, initially strained, which will eventually smooth out. ” I ended up succeeding with this city to write the animal guide in the city, launched in 2021. “
Today, Olivia is the head of Animalex, a firm specializing in animal law. According to her, the animal is present everywhere in the law. ” When you buy a dog, for example, it comes under contract law. If the latter bites someone, you are responsible. Even wild animals, which do not belong to anyone, are part of society. Not to mention the trafficking of animals, those that we eat, with which we make clothes… They are really everywhere She enumerates.
The current law concerning animals is, however, a paradox. Since 2015, they have been considered as living beings endowed with sensitivity … while remaining a material good. ” A paradox that will have to be overcome in the long term“, Considers the specialist lawyer. ” I think we will have to create a third category. Animal sensitivity has in fact been recognized since 1976 in the rural code. And so, since 2015, in the civil code, which represented a small revolution. “
For Olivia Symniacos, this change of law has highlighted the status of the animal and the need to make it evolve. ” Countries like Belgium and Switzerland are ahead. In particular concerning slaughter, where we have an obligation to stun animals, which does not exist in France. In our country, we have corrida, traditional hunts … But we are moving forward. That is what matters Hopes the lawyer who recognizes that it is difficult to fight against certain lobbies.
In the courts, this recognition of animal sensitivity dating from 2015 has seen an increase in the number of cases. “Before this law, there were not necessarily complaints lodged. Today, when a citizen sees a neighbor beating his dog, he has more courage to go and report it. We are much more aware of what an animal is », She testifies.
Logical consequence: the activity of this specialized firm is rich and varied. From the problems of private owners of domestic animals to those linked, for example, to prefectural decrees authorizing the slaughter of wildlife, including acts of mistreatment, there is no shortage of files.
For Olivia Symniacos, justice evolves on these subjects at the same rate as the whole of society. ” There is an evolution of consciousness in all professions. I have practically – with one exception – never been confronted with a magistrate totally insensitive to the animal cause », Testifies the specialist lawyer.
To better defend these animals, Olivia followed a training course at the National School of Veterinary Services. ” I think it’s important to know them well. It is necessary to explain, for example, when one speaks of mistreatment of production animals, to magistrates why these animals are victims of such acts. Pigs and cows are not like dogs and cats. Magistrates do not necessarily know them. In my files, another example, I had to explain why a reptile, living in a small terrarium, without enrichment, without water, is, in fact, mistreated. “
video length: 28sec
Olivia Symniacos answers the “very shabby question” on France3
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© France 3
Let us take specific cases: can we, for example refuse a rental to the owner of an animal, and under what pretext ? ” Yes, you can be refused if you have a categorized dog. There are two categories of attack dogs, and defense dogs. On the other hand, it doesn’t work if this dog simply has a head sale. “
Take the example of a divorce. How to manage the future of a pet in the event of a separation? ” This is regulated in the same way as for goods, since the article of law says that animals are subject to this regime. In fact, there is necessarily an act of acquisition of the animal, or an adoption contract. There is a whole body of evidence on a judge will be able to decide. “
Other case : what is the possible remedy when an animal has been stolen ? ” The first thing to do is to file a complaint. It should be remembered that the identification of animals is compulsory in France. Unfortunately, we still see a lot of stolen or lost animals that are not identified. When you love your animal, it is essential. This is the first way to find it. “
And if an animal has been poorly cared for by its veterinarian, are there any remedies ? ” The veterinarians have a triple responsibility ordinal, penal and civil. It can therefore be initiated, either before their order, or before a civil jurisdiction, or even, more rarely, criminal.. “
Finally, what to do if your neighbor’s dog killed your cat ? ” It’s just as if your child is going to break the neighbor’s bike. It is a civil liability, not a criminal one. No need to go and file a complaint. “
REPLAY: Watch or re-watch the entire show with Olivia Symniacos