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15 Animal Trials That Actually Happened in Court

Shannon Quinn - July 8, 2025

Imagine a courtroom where the accused is a pig, a swarm of locusts, or even a dolphin. It might sound unbelievable, yet throughout history, animals have stood trial alongside humans in courts across Europe and beyond. These bizarre cases—spanning centuries and continents—reflect a time when people genuinely believed animals could be held morally and legally responsible for their actions. The strange intersection of law, culture, and animal behavior reveals much about society’s evolving beliefs. Today, we revisit 15 extraordinary animal trials that actually happened.

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1. The Pig of Falaise (1386)

In 1386, the town of Falaise, France, witnessed an extraordinary trial: a pig stood accused of killing a child. The court treated the animal as it would a human criminal, complete with legal representation and a formal hearing. After being found guilty, the pig was publicly executed—a grim spectacle meant to demonstrate the seriousness of the offense.
This infamous case remains one of the most cited examples of medieval animal trials, highlighting how justice once extended beyond humans. Read more

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2. The Rooster of Basel (1474)

In 1474, the city of Basel was gripped by fear when a rooster reportedly laid an egg—something believed impossible and deeply unnatural. The rooster was put on trial for witchcraft, as the egg was thought to be the work of the devil. The court found the bird guilty and sentenced it to death, reflecting the superstitions and anxieties of the time. Read more

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3. The Mice of Stelvio (1519)

In 1519, the town of Stelvio, Italy, summoned a group of mice to court for ravaging local crops. The animals were given a legal defense, which pleaded for leniency due to their struggle for survival. In a curious twist, the court’s verdict ordered the mice to vacate the fields—an attempt to reason with nature itself. This case perfectly illustrates how medieval legal systems often projected human qualities onto animals. Read more

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4. The Donkey of Moisy (1750)

In a small French village, a donkey was placed on trial for bestiality after being the victim of a man’s assault. Remarkably, the court ruled in favor of the donkey, declaring it innocent and acknowledging its status as a victim. The human offender, however, was sentenced to death. This case stands out for its unexpected empathy, showing that even early courts could recognize an animal’s innocence. Read more

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5. The Ants of Autun (16th Century)

In the 16th century, a colony of ants in Autun, France, was put on ecclesiastical trial for infesting and damaging a vineyard. The court’s curious remedy was to order the ants to leave the property, as if they could obey a legal decree. This peculiar case highlights how medieval society tried to impose human concepts of law and order onto the natural world. Such trials often became elaborate rituals rather than practical solutions. Read more

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6. The Weevils of St. Julien (1587)

In 1587, the vineyards of St. Julien, France, suffered heavy damage from weevils. The local court summoned these pests, and when they failed to appear, a lawyer was appointed to represent them. The peculiar trial ended with the court instructing parishioners to pray for deliverance from the insects, blending legal procedure with superstition. This case is a fascinating example of how communities sought both legal and spiritual solutions to natural crises. Read more

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7. The Cow of France (1314)

In 1314, a cow in Normandy, France, was tried, convicted, and publicly executed for the murder of a man. Medieval legal codes treated animals much like people, holding them accountable for deadly actions. The cow’s execution served not only as punishment but also as a warning to others, underscoring the seriousness with which such cases were regarded. This episode reveals how the law once sought to extend its authority even over livestock. Read more

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8. The Dog of Dole (15th Century)

In 15th-century Dole, France, a dog was put on trial and executed after biting a child. The proceedings reflected a common belief that animals could possess moral responsibility for their actions. Unlike today’s animal control laws, which focus on public safety and humane treatment, these early cases treated animals as legal subjects. The fate of the dog of Dole highlights how legal philosophies regarding animals have dramatically shifted over time. Read more

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9. The Locusts of Lausanne (1478)

In 1478, the courts of Lausanne, Switzerland, faced a plague of locusts devastating local crops. The insects were formally tried and ultimately excommunicated—a religious penalty imposed in hopes of ending the infestation. This trial demonstrates how medieval societies turned to spiritual sanctions for earthly troubles, particularly in cases involving swarms and pests. Similar insect trials occurred elsewhere in Europe, blending faith with judicial process. Read more

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10. The Sow of Savigny (1457)

In 1457, Savigny, France, held a sensational trial involving a sow and her piglets, accused of killing a child. The court found the mother guilty and sentenced her to execution, while the piglets were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. This case was meticulously documented and is frequently referenced in discussions about animal trials. It reveals the detailed—and sometimes surprisingly nuanced—approach medieval courts took toward such proceedings. Read more

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11. The Sparrows of the Vatican (1519)

In 1519, sparrows nesting within Vatican buildings became the subjects of a formal prosecution for their disruptive presence. The church authorities opted for a spiritual solution, ultimately excommunicating the birds to restore order. This unusual trial illustrates how ecclesiastical law was applied to issues of animal behavior, seeking divine intervention where human law seemed powerless. Such cases reveal the unique ways religious institutions addressed everyday challenges. Read more

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12. The Goat of Bohemia (1546)

In 1546, a goat in Bohemia faced trial for witchcraft after being linked to unexplained illnesses in the community. The court found the animal guilty and ordered its execution, reflecting widespread fears of the supernatural and evil influences. This case underscores how anxieties about witchcraft extended even to livestock, blurring the line between folklore and legal proceedings in early modern Europe. Read more

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13. The Cat of Ypres (1560s)

In the 1560s, a cat in Ypres, Belgium, was put on trial and executed for witchcraft—an accusation fueled by widespread superstition. Cats were frequently scapegoated during witch hunts, seen as companions of witches or omens of evil. This particular case contributed to the origins of annual cat-throwing festivals in the area, a tradition that survives in altered form today. Read more

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14. The Bull of Vienna (1740)

In 1740, a bull in Vienna, Austria, made headlines after escaping captivity and killing a man. Authorities responded by capturing, formally trying, and ultimately executing the animal. This dramatic case highlights the persistence of older legal traditions where animals were held responsible for acts of violence, much like human criminals. The trial of the Vienna bull echoes similar proceedings throughout Europe, reflecting the era’s approach to justice and accountability. Read more

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15. The Rat of Autun (16th Century)

In 16th-century Autun, France, a rat was formally summoned to court on charges of stealing barley. When the rat did not appear, its legal defense cleverly argued that the streets were too perilous due to the presence of cats. Amazingly, the court accepted this excuse, highlighting the absurd lengths to which animal trials sometimes went. These proceedings offer a fascinating glimpse into the peculiarities of early legal traditions. Read more

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Conclusion

These bizarre animal trials from history reveal much about the values, fears, and worldviews of past societies. They demonstrate how legal systems once tried to make sense of nature’s unpredictability by holding animals accountable, reflecting both superstition and a desire for order.
While such cases seem absurd today, they offer fascinating insights into the evolution of justice and humanity’s ever-changing relationship with the animal world. Looking back, we’re reminded of how far our understanding—and compassion—has come.
What future lessons might we draw from the ways we treat animals today?

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