Pigs on Trial

pig

For 500 years of European history, animals were given criminal trials: Bulls, horses, dogs, and sheep were arrested, jailed, given lawyers, tried, and punished at community expense. In the latest Futility Closet podcast we'll explore this strange practice and try to understand its significance to the people of the time.

We'll also rediscover the source of Futility Closet's name and puzzle over how a ringing bell relates to a man's death.

Podcast Episode 31: Pigs on Trial