Criminal Law: Asinine Behavior

Last summer a Brazilian farmer named Osório Fernandes took his don key Pelé with him to town. In the marketplace of Venceslau Guimarâes, a small boy began tormenting Pelé with a stick, and the donkey struck back—killing the boy with a kick in the head. Police Chief Emiliano Gonçalves had the farmer arrested, but Fernandes wept so profusely in his jail cell that Gonçalves changed his mind and locked up the donkey instead. The charge against the animal: murder. Osório Fernandes angrily leveled a charge of his own against the police chief: "He has been anti-donkey ever since the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!