AHC: Later Animal Trials

Was watching Hour of the Pig today, got to wondering what the smallest possible changes* were that would allow the human legal system to continue to put animals on trial as long as possible.

Any ideas here?

*eg preferably the Enlightenment, or some equivalent, still takes place
 
I..don't know, to be honest I'm surprised it lasted into the 1700's.

Perhaps have it turn into a tradition somewhere, or more less likely, have some place continue to consider a specific non-Human species to be sentient?
 
I was going to say "give some continuing religious significance to animal trials" - for instance, if some sect holds annual trials of a certain species which is symbolic of evil or weakness (e.g., the snake for corrupting Eve) which conclude with either a ritual sacrifice or a ritual pardon. But those "trials" wouldn't be the province of the judicial system, and they'd be paint-by-number rituals rather than genuine trials with the outcome in doubt.

Hmmm, maybe a system where a finding of fault on the animal's part is a prerequisite for recovery of damages from the animal's owner? But I can't imagine why such a system would come into being. Maybe an oddball common-law precedent set when some aristocrat tries to beat the claim of a workman who is injured by one of his horses or hunting dogs?
 
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