10 Bizarre Pet-Related Lawsuits That Actually Happened
People have taken their pets into all kinds of strange legal territory. Courts have seen everything from copyright claims involving a macaque with a camera to complaints naming dogs as defendants. These cases reveal just how creative people can get when a beloved animal or an unexpected mishap lands everyone in a courtroom.
The Puppet Feud Involving a Musician and a Talking Sidekick
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South African singer Steve Hofmeyr wasn’t amused when a puppet mocked him on Twitter. The puppet, Chester Missing, belonged to ventriloquist Conrad Koch. Hofmeyr attempted to obtain a protection order, alleging harassment. A judge dismissed the request after reviewing the posts and deciding the comedian’s responses were allowed.
Kansas Attempts To Seize a Toyota Truck After a Dog’s Alert
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A routine traffic stop in Kansas turned into a legal fight over a Toyota truck and $84,000 in cash. An officer brought in a dog to sniff the vehicle, and the dog alerted to the presence of a possible substance. The state then moved to seize both the money and the truck. The case fell apart when the court found that the officer had stretched the stop longer than the law allows just to run the sniff. Because of that illegal extension, the state couldn’t keep the truck.
A Burglar Blames His Injuries on a Dog
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A man fleeing officers in Georgia claimed an officer’s dog bit him for too long after he was caught running from a burglary. He sued the officers and included the dog as a separate defendant. The case reached an appellate panel that dismissed it with a straightforward explanation: a dog cannot be sued individually.
A Horse’s Attempt To Sue Its Owner Meets a Judicial Wall
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Animal rights lawyers in Oregon tried something bold: they filed a lawsuit on behalf of a horse named Justice, who’d been neglected by its owner. The horse suffered from frostbite and required continued care, so they requested $100,000. However, the judge wasn’t persuaded.
A Photographer and a Macaque Face Off Over a Famous Selfie
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A macaque in Indonesia snapped a photo using a photographer’s camera, and that monkey selfie became internet-famous. An animal rights group sued, claiming that the monkey should own the copyright. Courts disagreed, ruling that only humans can hold intellectual property rights.
A Wheelchair Thief Tries To Bill a Dog for Excessive Force
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After stealing a man’s electric wheelchair in San Diego, an intruder tried to roll away before officers sent in a dog to stop him. He later filed a lawsuit seeking millions in damages. When questioned, he insisted he hadn’t meant to name the dog in the case. Court filings showed otherwise, since the animal appeared as a listed defendant twice.
A Monkey at a Candy Counter Faces a Complaint
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In 1877, a woman in New York City offered a monkey candy. It was accepted, but then it bit her when she tried to take it back. She then sued both the monkey and its owner. The judge ruled that monkeys can’t be prosecuted. Reports say the monkey tipped its hat in court before leaving.
A Tourist in Gibraltar Seeks Charges Against Mischievous Macaques
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While visiting Gibraltar, a woman claimed two macaques pulled at her clothes and scratched her. She reported the incident to authorities and asked them to charge the monkeys, but officers declined and reminded her that the animals roam freely on the cliffs.
A Disputed Dog Greeting Turns Into a Lawsuit
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An Oregon man attending a store opening felt comfortable petting an officer’s dog after its handler encouraged him to do so. The interaction changed quickly when the dog bit the man’s abdomen. The lawsuit sought compensation and led to a debate over the handler’s instructions and the dog’s training.
A Custody Battle Over a Parrot Rekindles Old Tensions
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Two Florida residents each believed they had a stronger claim to an African gray parrot that had lived with both households for years. When a casual conversation revealed that they were discussing the same bird, the original owner asked for the parrot to be returned. The second owner refused, which led to a lawsuit being filed. A judge ultimately ruled in favor of the original owner.