Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime
Chapter 1152: Defense_1

Chapter 1152: Chapter 1152: Defense_1

Purple Summers took a deep breath.

Maybe it was because she was pregnant that she became more emotional. During this court hearing, her mood fluctuated several times, somewhat restless.

Purple Summers pursed her lips and once again began to speak slowly, "In the world, there are already over 100 countries that have enacted the ’Animal Protection Act’—

In Germany, harming animals can result in a fine, and in severe cases, criminal responsibility, with a maximum imprisonment of three years;

In Canada, the maximum punishment for animal abuse is imprisonment for five years;

In Japan, wantonly killing and injuring animals can lead to imprisonment for less than a year, along with a fine of one million yen;

And in Russia’s ’Civil Code’, Article 137 states that cruelty to animals is not allowed if it contravenes humane principles. Regarding compensation for animal victims, the focus must be on the life value of the animals, not solely defined by their market value."

... Life value.

This term passed through Purple Summers’ mind, leaving a sense of suffocation.

The trend of animal protection laws is global, but unfortunately, this area is still a legislative gap in Huaya Country. Citing laws from other countries may guide, but it also highlights the key issue of this case—there is no relevant law to support it.

Purple Summers looked at the jury members, and these faces before her seemed moved, but how long could this sentiment last?

When they leave here and go back to that enclosed jury room to begin their intense debate, perhaps reason would gradually take precedence...

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I...", Purple Summers hesitated for a moment, her tone heavy, "I don’t necessarily want him to stay in prison for seven or eight years, I just feel that after such extreme incidents occur, someone must... must be held accountable for it to give our trials meaning."

Purple Summers returned to her seat and slowly sat down.

In a silence as profound as the breath of ravens, the defense lawyer stood up, looking uneasy.

"I don’t deny that Mr. Milton Fletcher killed an innocent dog, which was very cruel, very immoral," the lawyer said, "I also don’t deny the prosecution’s advocacy for animal protection, but I would like to quote a phrase Ms. Simonson once said."

The lawyer glanced at Purple Summers, and continued, "The court is not the place to cure social diseases. Ms. Simonson, when defending the casino her husband ran, always made this statement memorable for me, and I think it applies to this case as well. Those twisted, pathological, who regard animal abuse as a vent for stress! Disgusting! I hate them too! But are they guilty?"

The lawyer’s gaze slowly moved across the faces of the jury members.

"You know, I know, we all know, this conduct is immoral, but it is not a crime! Because we do not have any single law that deems such behavior as criminal! Perhaps one day in the future, animal protection laws will be added, but that is in the future, not now!"

The lawyer paused briefly and then smiled slightly, "Ms. Simonson just said that she originally didn’t intend to pay attention to this case, but later changed her mind after seeing the dog’s owner. I can’t help but ask, why is that?

Is it empathy? Ah... the almighty empathy, can our empathy now supersede the law?

I may sound cold-hearted by saying this, but please imagine, if the old lady’s pet was a rat, or even... a cockroach, would Ms. Simonson still stand here, waving the flag for so-called animal protection?"

At this point, the lawyer smiled at Purple Summers, "It’s quite hypocritical, isn’t it?"

He turned back, again looking at the jury, "The so-called equality of life is just a joke. While we are here condemning the defendant’s behavior over a dog, how many cows, sheep, chicken, and ducks are being slaughtered in the world? Has anyone been sued for this? The city management department regularly captures stray cats and dogs for centralized disposal, is that a crime? Has anyone been prosecuted for it?"