A Farmer Once Tried to Sue Rats For Eating His Barley
In the middle ages, it was common for people to try taking animals to court. Most of the time, the animals would be put to death after being found guilty for their crimes. One time, a farmer tried to sue rats for eating his barley. A lawyer named Barthélemy de Chasseneuz was hired to defend the rats. Obviously, the rats didn’t show up for their court date. Chasseneuz argued that the notice was not spread widely enough, and they just didn’t see it. When the rats failed to show up a second time, he asked the judge to forgive them because of the perils of the journey, especially when cats are trying to eat them. In the end, the rats were acquitted.