Godfather legal question

[xrv]

I watched the Godfather last night and the scene with the horse's head got me thinking. Did they break any laws doing that?
I know the horse would be worth money so there woud be a case for financial compensation.
But if for example someone were to kill an animal belonging to another in a humane way where the animal doesn't suffer. And the animal has no financial value, a cat or a dog for example. Would any law have been broken?

[Swilly]

xrv said:

I watched the Godfather last night and the scene with the horse's head got me thinking. Did they break any laws doing that?
I know the horse would be worth money so there woud be a case for financial compensation.
But if for example someone were to kill an animal belonging to another in a humane way where the animal doesn't suffer. And the animal has no financial value, a cat or a dog for example. Would any law have been broken?

littering, fly-tipping

[singlecoil]

OK if it's a dog or a horse, but don't even think of mistreating a cat

[Sciroccology]

I think they'd be saddled with a fine, at least.

[johnfm]

legally, you can do what you like to a cat and the owner has no recourse in law or in civil damages.

Strangely, a dog is different. If somebody kills your dog you can seek damages - dogs, as I understand it, are chattels.

[elster]

Breaking and entering

[Sciroccology]

I've checked on the welfare of the horse. Apparently, it's in a stable condition.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I think if you were considering doing this sort of thing there would be a lot of neigh-sayers. It would stirrup a lot of bad feeling.

[hman]

i expect they'd rein you in somehow.

[ianash]

johnfm said:

legally, you can do what you like to a cat and the owner has no recourse in law or in civil damages.

Strangely, a dog is different. If somebody kills your dog you can seek damages - dogs, as I understand it, are chattels.

I don't think, you can do anything you like to a cat. My understanding is that because cats are "free spirits" and not considered under the control of their owners, there is no liability on the owner for anything the cat does or causes to happen. A dog on the other hand is considered controllable, so its owner is liable for its deeds and behavior.

Edited by ianash on Sunday 8th March 18:04

[Sciroccology]

I'm glad I've spurred people on to make more puns.

[DrTre]

Not sure a cats head would strike the same sort of fear to be honest.

A horses head makes the statement "don't fk with me"

Tibbles' head makes the statement "I'm a disturbed ming mong that wets the bed."

[xrv]

johnfm said:

Strangely, a dog is different. If somebody kills your dog you can seek damages - dogs, as I understand it, are chattels.

What kind of damages are we talking about?

[johnfm]

well, if someone destroys or damages your property you are entitled to sue for damages in tort - quite separate to any criminal liabilty they may have (criminal damage, for example).


o, if someone kills or damages your Cruft prize winning pooch, your could (if you wanted to run up a large legal bill) take them to court.