When we think of witnesses, we usually picture a human sitting solemnly under oath. But the reality is far more whimsical: across the past few decades, a parade of parrots squawking, dogs barking, and even a robot beeping have been called to testify. In this roundup of 10 times nonhumans were summoned as witnesses, you’ll meet the feathered, furry, and metallic characters who stepped into the courtroom—or even the halls of Congress—to share what they “saw.” Grab a seat, because the evidence is anything but ordinary.
10 Bud The Parrot
In May 2015, a dramatic murder‑suicide unfolded in Michigan. Glenna Duram, 49, opened fire on her husband, Martin, delivering five bullets before turning the gun on herself. While Martin succumbed to his wounds, Glenna survived the self‑inflicted shot. The unlikely sole eyewitness was Bud, Martin’s African Grey parrot, perched nearby.
Bud began mimicking the chaotic scene, repeatedly uttering the phrase “Don’t f—g shoot” in a voice that sounded eerily like Martin’s. The bird seemed to switch between Glenna’s and Martin’s tones, always concluding with Martin’s chilling warning. According to Martin’s mother, Lillian, Bud was a notoriously filthy bird with a habit of echoing anything he overheard, lending credence to his testimony.
Prosecutors attempted to admit Bud as a courtroom witness, but the motion was denied. Nonetheless, the evidence contributed to Glenna’s conviction for murder.
9 Elmo
In 2002, the iconic red‑mouthed puppet Elmo from Sesame Street made history as the first—and still only—nonhuman to testify before the United States Congress. He appeared before the Education Appropriations Subcommittee to advocate for increased funding for school music programs.
Decked out in a tiny suit and tie, Elmo delivered his plea for more musical instruments and research support. The testimony took place amid a turbulent political climate, sandwiched between the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the looming Iraq War. While some found the spectacle amusing, Elmo also managed to interrupt other witnesses and, at one point, attempted to gnaw on the microphone.
8 Murphy The Dog
In 2005, Albert K. Smith was arrested for shooting his ex‑wife’s boyfriend. While incarcerated, Smith wrote a letter addressed to “Murphy Smith,” prompting prosecutors to issue a subpoena for this mysterious witness. To their astonishment, Murphy turned out to be Smith’s five‑year‑old Shih Tzu.
The dog was escorted to the courthouse by Smith’s unnamed brother, only to be barred entry because canine visitors are prohibited in courtrooms. The embarrassed prosecutors quickly apologized for the mix‑up, and the canine witness never took the stand.
7 Scooby The Dog
In 2008, a 59‑year‑old woman in Paris was found hanging in her apartment. While authorities initially labeled the death a suicide, her family suspected foul play and demanded a deeper investigation. The only living witness was her unnamed dog, later christened “Scooby” after the famous cartoon detective.
Police believed Scooby was present at the time of the suspected murder. When presented with a suspect, Scooby erupted in a ferocious bark. Though the court never disclosed the ultimate verdict, Judge Thomas Cassuto publicly thanked the dog, describing its behavior as “exemplary” and “invaluable assistance.”
6 Tango The Dog
French courts seem to have a particular fondness for canine testimony. In 2014, a nine‑year‑old Labrador named Tango was summoned as a witness in a murder trial after his owner was slain.
During the proceedings, the judge ordered the suspect to threaten Tango with a bat, hoping the dog’s reaction would reveal guilt. To verify the method, prosecutors also used a control dog—another nine‑year‑old Labrador named Norman—subjecting him to the same threat. While the exact reactions remain undisclosed, the experiment was widely condemned as absurd, and the case ultimately failed to produce a decisive outcome.
5 Officer Azor K9
In 2012, Florida driver Rodney McGee faced a traffic citation. He requested a continuance, claiming his key witness—a German Shepherd police dog named Officer Azor K9—had not yet appeared.
McGee had even subpoenaed Azor, insisting the dog had been present at the scene when officers suspected him of transporting drugs. He allegedly planned to conceal marijuana in the courtroom to test whether Azor could sniff it out. When the handler finally led Azor into the courtroom, Judge Peter Bell refused to allow the canine testimony and also barred McGee from smuggling marijuana, instead fining him $300 for neglecting to use his turn signal.
4 Pepper The Robot
In 2018, Pepper, a humanoid robot from SoftBank Robotics, became the first robot to appear before the British Parliament. Alongside human experts—computer scientists and roboticists—Pepper delivered testimony intended to showcase the practical benefits of artificial intelligence and robotics.
During the session, Pepper answered questions from Members of Parliament, though observers could not determine whether the responses were pre‑programmed or generated by AI. The robot, equipped with microphones, cameras, and a touchscreen chest, has been deployed worldwide as a receptionist and service assistant. However, not all of Pepper’s ventures have been smooth; a notable incident involved the robot being terminated from a grocery‑store position.
3 Peach The Dog
In 2013, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales requested a witness statement from “Police Constable Peach” of the West Midlands Police Station. The station’s staff clarified that “PC Peach” was actually “PD Peach”—a German Shepherd police dog.
Despite the clarification, CPS insisted on a statement from the canine. The dog’s handler produced a handwritten “statement” that resembled the scribbles a dog might make, reading: “I chase him. I bite him. Bad man. He tasty. Good boy. Good boy Peach.” The document was signed with Peach’s paw print. The statement, posted on the station’s wall, quickly spread on social media, turning CPS into the subject of jokes.
2 Buddy The Dog
In the early 20th century, a Washington, D.C. court was asked to resolve a heated ownership dispute involving a dog. Major General Eli Helmick of the U.S. Armed Forces claimed he owned a dog named Buddy, purchased in 1920. Meanwhile, hat merchant Keeley Morse asserted that the same canine—though he called it Prince—belonged to him.
After Buddy vanished in November 1921, Helmick’s wife Florence discovered the animal in Morse’s hat shop months later, insisting it was Buddy. Morse countered that the dog in his shop was Prince, purchased a month before Buddy’s disappearance. Both parties presented receipts, photographs, and other documentation, but the judge sought a more direct method.
Judge Edward Kimball called the dog to the stand. Placed on a chair, the animal immediately leapt toward Mrs. Helmick, an action the judge interpreted as proof of Buddy’s true ownership. Consequently, the court ruled in favor of the Helmicks.
1 Max The Parrot
In November 1991, 36‑year‑old Jane Gill was discovered dead in her Northern California home. Gary Joseph Rasp, Gill’s business partner, became the primary suspect. The only potential eyewitness was Max, Gill’s African Grey parrot, who likely observed the crime.
After the murder, Max remained confined to his cage for two days, surviving on limited food and water until rescuers found him. Once rehabilitated at a pet shop, the bird began loudly squawking, “Richard, no, no, no!”
Rasp’s attorney, Charles Ogulnik, attempted to introduce Max’s exclamations as evidence, arguing that the bird’s protest could not be ignored. However, the district attorney objected, and the judge sustained the objection, preventing Max from being used as a witness. Later, Ogulnik clarified that he was not trying to produce the bird itself, but merely wanted to admit the bird’s statements. Max’s whereabouts were kept secret, and a private investigator jokingly claimed the parrot had entered a witness‑protection program, even changing its species from parrot to macaw.