The Face-Eating Pig And The Vengeful Elephant- Animals From History Prosecuted As Human Criminals
Humanity hasn’t always known what to do with animals accused of doing bad things
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While humans typically claim to be the dominant and most intelligent species on earth there has been a lingering suspicion throughout history that sometimes our furry and feathered friends can have more depth or be more devious than they are usually given credit for. Today that usually takes the form of a pet sneaking out of a yard or grabbing a bit of food, but years ago perceived transgressions of animals could be serious business, including these two that were prosecuted and executed as human criminals for their alleged crimes.
The Face-Eating Pig: Going back to medieval times, it was not an uncommon occurrence for an animal to be tried for a human crime. After all, with widespread beliefs of witchcraft and sorcery, where it was speculated that humans could assume the shapes of beasts, the line between species was much more faded than it is today.
In 1386 Falaise, France, a pig was arrested for attacking a small child named Jonnet and so mutilating their face that it ultimately led to the toddler’s death. The porcine beast was summarily arrested and hauled off to jail to stand trial for murder. In short order it was convicted and sentenced to death; an act that was detailed in a receipt from January 9, from the executioner:
“For his efforts and salary for having dragged and then hanged at the [place of] Justice in Falaise a sow of approximately three years of age who had eaten the face of the child of Jonnet le Macon, who was in his crib & who was approximately three months old, in such a way that the said infant died from [the injuries], and [an additional] ten s. tournoise for a new glove when the Hangman performed the said execution: this receipt is given to Regnaud Rigaut, Vicomte de Falaise; the Hangman declares that he is well satisfied with this sum and that he makes no further claims on the King our Sire and the said Vicomte.”
A fresco that was painted on the side of a church showed the condemned pig dressed in human clothing, including a waistcoat, gloves and a human mask, and chained up for torturing until it was…
