The Unusual Intersection of Justice: Human Courts and Animal Trials Throughout History

Courts have played a crucial role in the development of human civilization. However, throughout history, humans have not limited themselves to trying only other humans; in certain cases, they have also arranged animal trials. It is our sense of morality and justice that sets us apart from other creatures, yet medieval courts, whether religious or secular, believed that animals also possessed a sense of right and wrong. Some even thought that when animals caused harm, the devil was responsible. And so they must put them on trial. The trials were often elaborate, with respected lawyers presenting witnesses and documents. In some cases, the proceedings would last for months.

The First Animal Trial: How a Pig Faced Justice in 14th Century France

Although it is unclear exactly when this practice began, one of the earliest recorded trials took place in 1386 in Falaise, a small town in Normandy, France.

A pig was accused of attacking a child, resulting in the child’s death. An eyewitness testified against the pig in court. The court found the pig guilty and sentenced it to death. But that wasn’t the end. At that time, they would follow the Bible’s ancient law—’ eye for an eye’. So, before the public execution, they maimed the pig in its face and front legs with sharp objects. It was a gesture – just to inflict the same wound that the child had endured. However, this type of justice was a regular practice in the medieval period.

The Egg-Laying Rooster: A Medieval Trial of Justice and Superstition

Let’s discuss another case. Can roosters lay eggs? The simple answer is- ‘no’. However, an extraordinary incident took place in medieval Switzerland. In 1874, a rooster in the town of Basel laid several eggs. If this had happened today, although the eggs had no yolk, the rooster would have become a celebrity. But times were different back then, and people feared anything unnatural.

They brought the rooster to trial. The case was even provided with a lawyer, who argued that while the egg-laying was bizarre, it was a natural occurrence and the rooster was not to blame. Furthermore, the eggs did not harm anyone. Therefore they should not punish the rooster. On the other hand, the prosecutor argued that the devil was behind such unnatural events, and the rooster was now under the devil’s control. The judge found the rooster guilty, and it was publicly burned at the stake along with one of its eggs.

When Mary the Elephant Faced Public Execution: A Disturbing Tale from Erwin, Tennessee

Animal trials were not just confined to the Middle Ages. Even in modern times, there are examples of this. One such event occurred in Erwin County, Tennessee, USA. On September 12, 1916, during a performance of the Sparks World Famous Show circus, Walter “Red” Eldridge, who had only recently started working there, was riding an elephant named Mary. Mary was a well-known elephant, famous for her large size, and was affectionately called “Big Mary.”

According to a witness, Red, who was inexperienced in handling elephants, poked Mary behind her ear with a spear. Enraged, Mary struck Red with her trunk, and he died from the blow. The crowd panicked, and a blacksmith named Hench Cox shot Mary five times, but she was only slightly injured by the bullets. The crowd began chanting for Mary to be killed.

Faced with public outrage, Charlie Sparks, the circus owner, decided to execute Mary publicly. On September 13, Mary was taken to a railroad yard in front of 1,500 people. On that foggy, drizzly day, a large crane was used to hang Mary, but the chain broke during the first attempt, and she fell, breaking her hipbone. In the second attempt, Mary was hanged for 30 minutes until she was dead. This tragic event left a stain on the town of Erwin, which its residents are still trying to erase by fundraising to support elephant conservation efforts.

From Convict to Celebrity: Katya the Bear’s Unique Prison Experience

In 2004, a bear named Katya was put on trial in Kazakhstan for attacking and injuring two people at a campsite. Katya was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison. After the news of her trial spread, Katya became quite popular all over the country.

Katya was imprisoned with 730 other human inmates in Kostanay prison. According to witnesses, Katya enjoyed her time in prison, with access to a swimming pool where she would swim and a large cell for sleeping at night. The inmates liked Katya, and so did the prison authorities, as evidenced by a sculpture of Katya that was made and still stands in the prison. Later, in 2019, Katya was released from prison and transferred to a zoo, where she befriended another bear named Yashka.

Reflecting on the Bizarre History of Animal Trials: Lessons from an Unusual Legal Practice

The history of animal trials reveals a fascinating, yet unsettling chapter of human civilization. Animals were held accountable for actions believed to be influenced by morality or even supernatural forces. From medieval pigs to modern-day circus elephants, these trials reflect not only our evolving understanding of justice but also the shifting boundaries between humans and animals in society. While these practices have long since ceased, they serve as a reminder of how cultural, religious and legal systems can shape our view of the natural world.

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