Yesterday, we heard the sad news of a herd of donkeys being detained in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district. Didn't hear about it? Well, they were, for eating and destroying plants worth around Rs 5 lakh outside a jail.

For what it's worth, the accused donkeys were released later, but only after four days of detention.

Does that baffle you, the detention of animals? Hold your horses, for donkeys ain't the only ones to ever end up behind the bars for 'committing a felony'.

During the Middle Ages the practice of trying and condemning animals was common in Europe and the British Isles and later in the New World. But these modern-day instances across the globe just get your goat!

Here's a quick list of animals who have been locked-up by police in India and abroad:

BLEAT THIS

A goat was turned in to the police by a vigilante group in Nigeria, which claimed it was an armed car thief who had used black magic to transform himself into a goat to escape arrest after trying to steal a Mazda 323.

Uh, thinking of an animagus, anybody?

Also, In June 2013, three goats were detained by officers in Chennai after they were accused of damaging a police vehicle. And, Another goat was tried in a Sydney court after being charged with vandalism -- snacking on a flower bed outside the city's Museum of Contemporary Art.

COO DE GRACE

In 2010, Indian police held a pigeon after it was alleged to be a Pakistan spy. Found by a local resident near the Amristsar border, the bird had a ring around its foot and a Pakistani phone number and address stamped on its body in red ink.

PRIMATE FACIE

In 2011, authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province arrested a trespassing monkey. Having wandered into Cholistan, across the border from India, it was given a home in Bahawalpur Zoo.

FELINE FELON

In June 2013, a cat was detained by Russian police, after it was caught trying to enter a prison near Moscow with mobile phones and chargers taped to its body.

Also, In January 2013, a cat was detained in Brazil with contraband goods for prisoners taped to its body. The incident took place at a jail in Arapiraca city and the confiscated items included drill bits, files, a mobile phone and charger, and earphones.

HEE HOW?

In 2008, a burro (small donkey) bit and kicked two men near a ranch in Chiapas state in Mexico. It was jailed for assault and battery and kept in a cell normally reserved for those arrested for public drunkenness and other disturbances.

BROUGHT TO TUSK

Criminal charges were brought against an elephant in Kerala, in January 2013, after it killed three women at a religious festival after going berserk. After this incident, the elephant was banned for three months from participating in festivities and processions.

MURDER IN THE PEN

A camel had to spend a night behind bars for murdering a buffalo. The incident reported from the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan on January 1, 2007, occured after the owners had tied the animals near to each other. The camel fell upon the buffalo, bit it in the chest, gave it numerous blows with its front legs and killed it.

And you thought committing a felony is 'inhuman'!