Plato believed that animals could be prosecuted for murder!

>Apparently, this originally came out of the idea that animals are intelligent and therefore responsible for their actions. Animal trials date at least as far back as [Plato](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Plato_Silanion_Musei_Capitolini_MC1377.jpg) (c. 427 B.C. – c. 347 B.C.), for in his book *The Laws*, he wrote, “If a beast of burden or any other animal shall kill anyone, except while the animal is competing in the public games, the relatives of the deceased shall prosecute it for murder.” ___________________ **Source:** Stephens, John Richard. “Ignorance and Intelligence.” *Weird History 101: Tales of Intrigue, Mayhem, and Outrageous Behavior*. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. 118. Print. ___________________ **Further Reading:** [Plátōn (Plato)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato)