Keeping the animal kingdom in check can include smart use of our judiciary...
Dog
The crime: Accomplice to murder.
The case: Delemont, Switzerland, 1906. During the murder trial of a man called Scherrer and his son, their dog’s complicity was called into question.
The verdict: All guilty. The dog was hanged.
Mosquitoes
The crime: Causing a public nuisance.
The case: Mayenne, France, c. 1200. Bugged by mosquitoes, the people of Mayenne demanded action be taken against the blood-suckers.
The verdict: Banished to their own plot of land.
Bear
The crime: Stealing honey.
The case: Macedonia, 2008. A beekeeper took the hive-raiding bear to court. It was defended by the state as it was deemed part of its game population.
The verdict: The state paid $3,500 in damages.
Cockerel
The crime: Aiding and abetting sorcery.
The case: Basel, Switzerland, 1471. Townsfolk worried about withcraft accused a rooster of being possessed by Satan.
The verdict: Guilty. It was burnt at the stake.
Leeches
The crime: Squatting.
The case: Lausanne, Switzerland, 1451. When a land-owner noticed an excessive number of leeches in a pond, the local bishop summoned them to court.
The verdict: The leeches were exorcised.
Elephant
The crime: Murder.
The case: Virginia, US, 1916. When circus elephant Mary was prodded by her inexperienced trainer, she responded by treading on his head.
The verdict: Mary was hanged using a crane.
Monkey
The crime: Assault.
The case: New York City, US, 1877. When organ-grinder Cassio Dillio’s monkey, Jimmy, bit a girl’s finger, both were hauled in front of a court.
The verdict: Released on grounds of being a monkey.
Rats
The crime: Criminal damage.
The case: Autun, France, 1522. More crop-attacking felons, the rats’ lawyer delayed the trial due to them not being able to travel to court because of cats.
The verdict: Judgement was made in the rats’ favour.
Weevils
The crime: Theft.
The case: St Julien, France, 1545. When weevils helped themselves to local grape vines, a trial debating their right to life and sustenance ensued.
The verdict: Unknown; court papers were eaten too.
Images: Rex
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