Animals can sue

[LeonLethality]

phoenix meets ace? wait I have an idea brewing...

 

[Sethzard]

what's next, an animal becoming priminister, wait I'm looking at you ms thatcher.

 

[Calatar]

Sorry, this entire article seems far too sensationalized to be believed.

THIS

I dont know if anyone has heard about this but basically this guy wants to give animals legal rights. So in effect they could take you to court.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2320-Baltimore-Hunting-and-Fishing-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Cass-Sunstein-animal-rights-views-Should-activists-stop-him-from-joining-Obama-administration

I can only imagine if this actually went through and this guy ended up gaining power.

uh, someone needs to tell this guy that he can't use himself as a source in his articles.

What Cass Sunstein did was write an introduction to a book of essays on animal rights where he mentioned that some people believe that animals can be granted legal standing, allowing actual people to sue on their behalf.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Sunstein#Animal_rights

Wikipedia and five minutes of research.

and more importantly THIS.
ITT: People believing everything they read.

Lets look at the sources, shall we:
a. A hunting-fishing op-ed piece on the internet.
b. An article from the inevitably right-wing Heritage Foundation (apart from mild left-bashing, it mostly just questions how this guy will act regarding regulation, not really even related to this thread)

 

[Sparrow]

This is my dingo called Montoya. You are his lawyer. Prepare to lie.

 

[Danik93]

Er... what kind of animal has the intellgience to be able to file for a court case, negotiate and pay for a lawyer, and give an account of events during the case? Oh wait yeah. None.

Well... Animal Planet (and they are always correct about animals) said that Prairie Dogs have almost as advanced language as humans...

 

[erto101]

All the cartoons suddenly makes sense

 

[bushwhacker2k]

Dog: Woof!
Judge: What was that? He stole your bacon!?

D:

 

[Ghost8585]

I just hope this brings back Harvey Birdman- Attorney at Law.

 

[RanD00M]

Not practical. An owl, for example, couldn't handle the paperwork.

*shy voice*My owl can.

 

[feather240]

I just hope this brings back Harvey Birdman- Attorney at Law.

Perfect

I think people who can seriously say animals should have rights and be able to sue people need to be put in a mental institution.

Im going to eat some chicken to protest this stupid proposal.

Come join the orginization of S.A.N.E. Some animals need to be Eaten

Both of you good sirs deserve a cookie!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HTTP-Cookie-Google.png

Animals used to be tried for cases. No really! If locusts attacked their crops they would capture one and put it on trial.

Edit:

Not practical. An owl, for example, couldn't handle the paperwork.

*shy voice*My owl can.

Thought you would like this. http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/443779

 

[Ghost8585]

I just hope this brings back Harvey Birdman- Attorney at Law.

Perfect

Thank you.

 

[Hookman]

Please tell me this is a joke. A really bad joke!
"And I call to the stand...Mr Kibbles!"

 

[KarumaK]

Hahaha, no. Let's just eat the animals instead.

There ya go^^ No animal... no problem.

 

[DrunkWithPower]

A dead animal can't talk! Muhahahah...... wait, neither can a live animal.

 

[Zer_]

What's that Lassie? You want to sue your ex for blackmailing you?

*Ruff Ruff!*

I thought you were the one who blackmailed him!

*Ruff Ruff!*

What?! NO you can't tell them I did that, you're blackmailing me!

*Ruff Ruff!*

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

I want to see the pilot case, I really do. Would be fun to watch a dog try and give testimony.

OOOH. This would also make them susceptible to OUR laws. Great, now we can have doggy prisons for those that have lude behaviour in public, like not wearing clothing. Oh yes, we can even give the death sentence to cats which catch mice. Oh what fun times to have before us, when animals have legal rights and responsibilities.

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

I can see an animal rescue group like the Humane Society suing abusive pet owners on the behalf of the animals they rescued. In fact I'd kinda like to see it happen. They could then use the money they won to help fund their programs. I draw the line at PETA though, too many nut jobs.

Couldn't they already, seeing it is a civil matter, bring this to court? They don't need to sue on behalf of the animal, they could so easily sue for having to undertake the treatment and care of an abused animal. I don't see where they wouldn't be able to do so under existing laws.

Humane societies who have, by law, taken an animal from an abusive situations should be able to force for the medical and housing care of said animals. Frankly, it should already be mandatory if you ask me. Part of the original court case, found guilty of abusing animals and have to pay for their well being seems quite reasonable.

 

[lenin_117]

I don't think animals can sue. Im pretty sure the legal framework isn't in place.

 

[Galletea]

This is getting silly. If you give animals more rights, where will it stop? Squatting rights for pests?