YSK: There's a history of animals being charged for criminal acts

Puzzlehead@lemmy.world to You Should Know@lemmy.world – 91 points – Animal trial - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org

Why YSK: Did you know that throughout history, there have been cases where animals were actually charged with criminal acts? It's pretty surprising, right? These stories give us a unique glimpse into how societies have dealt with the actions of animals and how the legal system has responded. By learning about these cases, we can see how our attitudes towards animals and ideas of justice have evolved over time.

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But why should I know it?

So you can sue that moose for damages when it jumps in front of your car.

Katya the Bear is a female brown bear native to Kazakhstan[11] who was imprisoned in 2004 after being found guilty of mauling two people in separate incidents.[12] Katya was held in the Arkalyk Prison in Kostanay.[11] The bear was released from imprisonment and allowed to congregate with other bears after serving a fifteen-year sentence. Handlers report Katya socializing well with other bears after her long imprisonment.

…locked her up in 2004. A bear. In a human prison. For 15 bloody years, no less

"According to Johannis Gross in Kurze Basler Chronik (1624), in 1474 a rooster was put on trial in the city of Basel for "the heinous and unnatural crime of laying an egg", which the townspeople were concerned was spawned by Satan and contained a cockatrice."

I find this strangely hilarious. I can just imagine this scene taking place.

Even orange Cheetos can be charged with criminal acts sometimes!

I knew we couldn't trust those swines! Lovely llamas on the other hand 🦙🦙