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Dog appears as witness in murder trial
A dog nicknamed Scooby has become the first animal in the world to appear as a witness in a murder trial.
The animal is believed to have been with his 59-year-old owner when she was found hanging from the ceiling of her Paris flat.
Police believe it was suicide but her family demanded a murder investigation, reports the Daily Telegraph.
During a preliminary hearing the pet was led into the witness box by a vet to see how it reacted to a suspect. It is said to have "barked furiously".
The aim was to decide if there was sufficient evidence to launch a full murder inquiry and a judge is yet to reach a decision.
French judge Thomas Cassuto praising the animal for his "exemplary behaviour and invaluable assistance".
A spokesman for the Palais de Justice in Paris confirmed that the Nanterre case was the first time a dog had appeared as a witness in criminal proceedings in France.
He said he was "almost certain" it was also a world first. The dog was nicknamed after crime-fighting cartoon character Scooby Doo.
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3002857.html?menu=
A dog nicknamed Scooby has become the first animal in the world to appear as a witness in a murder trial.
The animal is believed to have been with his 59-year-old owner when she was found hanging from the ceiling of her Paris flat.
Police believe it was suicide but her family demanded a murder investigation, reports the Daily Telegraph.
During a preliminary hearing the pet was led into the witness box by a vet to see how it reacted to a suspect. It is said to have "barked furiously".
The aim was to decide if there was sufficient evidence to launch a full murder inquiry and a judge is yet to reach a decision.
French judge Thomas Cassuto praising the animal for his "exemplary behaviour and invaluable assistance".
A spokesman for the Palais de Justice in Paris confirmed that the Nanterre case was the first time a dog had appeared as a witness in criminal proceedings in France.
He said he was "almost certain" it was also a world first. The dog was nicknamed after crime-fighting cartoon character Scooby Doo.
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3002857.html?menu=
