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The Wednesday Documentary: Trial By Trial

The Documentary: Animals on Trial

Animals on Trial

16/03/2011

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Animals on Trial

Animals, insects and corpses were once put on trial - but why and how?

Throughout history donkeys, pigs, dogs, rats, even insects have been put on trial and some convicted and sentenced. Frances Fyfield, looks at these extraordinary cases of animals in court.

In 1750, Jacques Ferron was convicted of coupling with a female donkey in France. 

Both he and the donkey would face certain execution. 

However the parish priest petitioned for the court to show mercy, unfortunately for Ferron the priest would only vouch for the good character of the animal. 

The donkey was spared and Ferron was burned alive.

Throughout history donkeys, pigs, dogs, rats, even insects have been put on trial and some convicted and sentenced. 

Crime thriller writer and former solicitor Frances Fyfield looks at these extraordinary cases of animals in court.

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