The surprising truth about animals that have been charged with crimes.

Are you aware that animals have been charged in court? Yes legally charged with different offenses and either acquitted or sentenced. This was a legal practice mostly done in the medieval ages (13th-18th centuries), The practice is not common in the modern era since non-human entities are not considered to have moral culpability. However, a rare case that happened in 2022 will interest you and it is included here as we cover some of the medieval cases.

Below are some of these interesting animal trials.

Ram in shackles

In South Sudan, Africa, a sheep was arrested, charged, and sentenced to serve 3 years in a military camp after repeatedly headbutting a woman to death. These events have happened recently in 2022. The sheep on completing its sentence will be given to the family of the victim. The owner of the sheep on the other hand will have to give 5 cows to the victim's family,

Ratted out

Having a good lawyer by your side can save you jail time. In 1508, the rats of Autun, a town in France were accused of destroying the barley crops of the townspeople. A hearing was set up and the rats were about to be sentenced in absentia, however, the presiding Bishop insisted on legal counsel for the rats. The rat's counsel De Chasseneuz made pleas for the cats and dogs to be curfewed to assure the safety of his clients, however, the townsfolk were not cooperative with it and the case was dismissed.

Sow sad

In Falaise, France 1386, a pig was charged with the murder of a child and found guilty. The sow was given representation in court and at the end of the day was found guilty and sentenced to death. On execution day the pig was battered and then hanged to death all while in human clothes. Its piglets were however acquitted as they were innocent.

Cock tale

In an interestingly shocking case in Switzerland in 1474, a cock was sentenced to burn on the stake for a very bizarre reason. The cock was accused of laying eggs. The execution attracted a large number of people, The most shocking part of the story is that the executioner recorded finding 3 eggs in the cock during execution.

Cow done

The year is 1681 in Saxony Germany where a cow was charged with murder. This happened after the cow pushed over her owner who fell and sustained injuries that led to her death. The trial was held at the University of Leipzig at the Faculty of law. The cow was sentenced to death and buried whole, no part of her was to be used for consumption.

Thank you for reading this piece.

Have you heard of other animal trial stories you would like to share? If you have, share with us in the comment section.