Welcome back to another edition of Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, where we look at some of the most unusual intersections of law and life. This week, we’re exploring cases where animals found themselves in legal disputes, The long arm of the law sometimes reaches into the animal kingdom.
The Parrot with a Potty Mouth
In 2015, in the town of Rajura, Maharashtra, India, an 85-year-old woman named Janabai Sakharkar lodged a complaint with local police against an unlikely offender: a parrot named Hariyal. Janabai alleged that her stepson, Suresh Sakharkar, had trained Hariyal to hurl obscenities at her whenever she passed by his house. This familial feud over property had escalated to the point where even the family pet was allegedly weaponized.
Taking the complaint seriously, the police summoned all parties involved, including Hariyal, to the station. However, during the interrogation, the parrot remained silent, refusing to utter any offensive words in front of the authorities. With no concrete evidence, the police handed Hariyal over to the state’s forestry department, deciding that perhaps a neutral environment would be best for the bird. Source
The Seagull Shoplifter
In the coastal town of Aberdeen, Scotland, a seagull nicknamed “Gus” became a local sensation due to his habitual thefts from a convenience store. Gus had developed a knack for sneaking into the store and pilfering packets of chips, much to the amusement and frustration of the staff and customers. His brazen daylight robberies were captured on video, showcasing his stealthy entries and swift getaways. Despite attempts to deter him, Gus continued his thieving. It seems we’re facing increasing challenges of dealing with wildlife in urban areas. Source
The Donkey Behind Bars
Not every animal accused of a crime has been able to avoid time behind bars. In 2008, police in Chiapas, Mexico, arrested a donkey after he bit one man in the chest and kicked another. The donkey spent three days in jail—in a cell usually reserved for drunk people—and wasn’t released until his owners paid for the victims’ medical bills and covered their salaries for the days they missed work due to their injuries. Source
When the Law Meets the Animal Kingdom
This is the second time we’ve discussed animals become entangled in human legal systems. Animals operate on instinct rather than intent. Still, their actions can have significant impacts on human affairs.
