(The Corner) – This case should have been laughed out of court. Instead, the bid by the radical NonHuman Rights Project received a respectful ruling from a New York appeals court in its attempt to grant writs of habeas corpus to chimpanzees.
As I have noted, animals are not entitled to rights because none–by their very natures–are capable of assuming responsibilities or duties. The court followed that same line of thinking. From the ruling (my emphasis):
“The asserted cognitive and linguistic capabilities of chimpanzees do not translate to a chimpanzee’s capacity or ability, like humans, to bear legal duties, or to be held legally accountable for their actions.” CONTINUE