Human–animal marriage

There are numerous cases of people seeking to marry animals they loved, from the Roman Emperor Caligula often said to have both married his horse Incitatus and appointed it to the Senate, through to the 2005 case of a woman who married a dolphin, and a 2006 case of a Sudanese man who was ruled to be obligated to pay dowry and marry a goat following sexual activity with it. In addition there is significant folklore and myth on the subject. Possible some less well known religions, or older traditions, may indeed permit such marriages.

No modern country recognizes marriage between humans and non-humans, but throughout history people have sought ways to commit to an animal they loved in this way, often involving ceremonies which, whilst not legally bidning, carry great personal significance.

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Law

No present-day national jurisdiction is known to allow marriage between humans and non-humans. They are not legally recognized and purported marriage ceremonies usually have no legislative validity. This is because in most legal systems, animals are viewed as chattels (property), and are therefore not considered to have capacity to comprehend marriage any more than a suitcase can, nor the personhood to enter into legal or other agreements. Additionally, in many customs, a marriage must be consummated, which in such a partnership would in many territories constitute an illegal act.