When Societies Put Animals on Trial

Field Critters

In today’s world, it’s completely normal to exterminate moles or mice on private property when they are causing harm or even mild inconvenience. However, in 1519, citizens of the Austrian town of Stelvio gathered in court figure out what should be done to the animals that were eating their crops and burrowing in the ground, making the soil infertile. Some people argued that it would be cruel to kill the animals, especially for those that were pregnant or feeding their young.