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
