It sounds absurd by modern standards, but for centuries, animals were not just blamed for crimes; they were formally arrested, tried, and even executed under the law. From pigs accused of murder to insects “excommunicated” by the church, medieval and early modern courts treated animals as if they were capable of criminal intent.
These weren’t jokes or symbolic acts. They were serious legal proceedings, complete with judges, lawyers, witnesses, and sentences. Here are some of the strangest and most unbelievable times animals were put on trial.
1. The Pig That Was Executed for Murder (France, 1386)
One of the most famous cases took place in Falaise, France. A pig was accused of killing a child. An act that, horrifying as it was, wasn’t entirely uncommon in a time when animals roamed freely through towns.
What makes this case remarkable is how seriously it was handled. The pig was arrested, imprisoned, and brought before a court. Witnesses testified, and the animal was ultimately found guilty of murder.
It was sentenced to death by hanging. The pig was dressed in human clothing before its execution, possibly to emphasize the idea that it was being punished as a moral agent.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Pigs, in particular, were frequently tried because of their proximity to humans and their potential for aggression.
2. The Rooster That Laid an Egg (Switzerland, 1474)
In Basel, Switzerland, a rooster found itself at the center of a bizarre and deadly accusation: it had allegedly laid an egg. Now, biologically, that’s impossible. However, at the time, people believed that such an egg could be used to hatch a cockatrice, a mythical creature said to be part serpent, part rooster, and entirely deadly.
The rooster was put on trial for this unnatural act. Despite its obvious inability to defend itself, or even comprehend the charge, it was found guilty, and was sentenced to death by burning.
3. The Weevils That Were Given a Lawyer (France, 1522)
Not all animal trials involved individual creatures. Sometimes, entire species were summoned to court.
In one French case, a group of weevils was accused of destroying local crops. Instead of simply exterminating them, the community took the matter to court.
Incredibly, the insects were assigned a defense lawyer. His argument? The weevils had just as much right to the land as the humans did, since they were part of God’s creation.
The court took the matter seriously and eventually reached a compromise: the weevils were granted a specific area where they could feed, in exchange for leaving the crops alone.
4. The Rat Trials That Dragged On for Months (France, 1500s)
In another famous case, rats were put on trial for destroying barley crops. Once again, a lawyer was appointed to defend them—this time, a man named Barthélemy Chasseneux.
Chasseneux became known for his surprisingly sophisticated legal arguments. He claimed that the rats had failed to appear in court because the summons had not been properly delivered to every individual rat.
When the court attempted to resolve this, he raised another issue: traveling to court would be dangerous for the rats due to the presence of cats along the way.
The case became a drawn-out legal farce, with procedural arguments delaying any real outcome. In the end, the trial fizzled out without a clear resolution.
5. The Donkey That Was Acquitted (France, 1750)
Not all animal trials ended in conviction.
In a case from France, a man and a donkey were both accused of engaging in inappropriate acts. While the man was found guilty and sentenced to death, the donkey was put on trial alongside him.
Witnesses were called to testify about the donkey’s character. Several locals described the animal as virtuous and well-behaved, insisting that it had been an unwilling participant.
Remarkably, the court accepted this argument. The donkey was acquitted and allowed to go free.
6. The Caterpillars That Were Excommunicated (France, 1500s)
In some cases, the accused weren’t just tried; they were punished by the church.
When caterpillars began destroying crops in a French region, local authorities turned to ecclesiastical courts for help. The insects were formally summoned and ordered to stop their destruction.
When they failed to comply, the church escalated the matter by issuing an excommunication—a spiritual punishment typically reserved for humans.
The idea was that, as part of God’s creation, the caterpillars could be influenced by religious authority. Unsurprisingly, the insects continued eating the crops.
7. The Dog That Was Hanged as an Accomplice (France, 1400s)
In another grim case, a dog was executed alongside a human criminal. The animal was accused of assisting in a crime, though the exact details are unclear.
What is known is that the dog was treated as a co-conspirator. It was tried, convicted, and ultimately hanged.
8. The Locusts That Were Put on Notice (Italy, 1600s)
In parts of Italy, locust swarms were occasionally brought before courts due to the devastation they caused.
Like the caterpillar cases, these trials often involved religious elements. The insects were formally ordered to leave the area, and when they didn’t, curses or excommunications followed.