Bizarre cases of animals tried in criminal courts

A 16th century French lawyer, M Chassensee, defended rats accused of going around in marauding packs annoying people. When the rats failed to turn up in court, the prosecution insisted that they should be sentenced immediately. Chassensee claimed this was unfair because the rats should have been allowed to give evidence in their defence. A summons was issued and when the rats didn’t appear the prosecution declared it contempt of court. The defence insisted some were too old or young to make the journey, or too scared because townspeople were threatening to set their cats on them. The case was adjourned.

In Spain, in 1540, a moth was brought before a court charged with destroying a valuable tapestry. It was found guilty and beheaded. All moths of that species were banished. In Sauviot in 1543 France, bees were charged with almost stinging a man to death. The man admitted he wouldn’t be able to recognise the culprits, so the court put a curse on every bee in the area.

French historians estimate that between 1120-1740, there were about 200 cases of animals tried in courts.