Bizarre, International, Religion, Society, Torts

Wedding Crasher: Elephant Goes on Rampage at Wedding and Tramples 20 Cars and Sexually Assaults a Truck

A Hindu wedding in New Delhi experienced the ultimate wedding crasher when the elephant used in the ceremony spotted a female elephant in a nearby field. The elephant proceeded to smash 20 cars, tried to mate with a truck, and then smashed through a shopping mall during a 15-hour rampage.

The elephant was eventually knocked out with a tranquillizer gun but not before he caused $303,000 in damage. Now that will make for an interesting lawsuit. In the United States, you are strictly liable for damage caused by wild animals in your possession. However, in India, they might claim an elephant as a domesticated animal with animus revertendi (habit of return). If considered domesticated in the United States, a negligence standard would apply. This would appear to be a case of clear negligence since, the Wildlife Trust of India said that the elephant was in its annual rutting stage.

It is not clear if the trucking company will sue for loss of consortium.

It appears that elephant damage is a common claim for insurance companies in India, here.

For the story, click here

24 thoughts on “Wedding Crasher: Elephant Goes on Rampage at Wedding and Tramples 20 Cars and Sexually Assaults a Truck”

  1. Elaine M –

    Thanks for the additional video and the book tips. (Good gift ideas for the children in my life.)

    Maybe you should pitch the Disney animation idea for “Tara and Bell” — with your talent, it could be lucrative. Then you could invite the Turley bloggers to the premiere. 🙂

  2. anon nurse–

    Thanks for the sequel! Hats off to the people at the elephant sanctuary for their decision. Still, Disney could produce an animated film about the two animals.

    BTW, here’s a video of another odd pairing of animal friends–a baby hippo and an old Aldabra tortoise. The baby hippo was separated from its family after the tsunami in 2004. The tortoise had been “a loner”–but accepted the baby hippo as his own.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Kc2y-geiU&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

    There are nonfiction books for children written about Owen and Mzee and about Tarra and Bella:

    – “Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship” told by Isabella Hatkoff, Carig Hatkoff, & Dr. Paula Kahumbu

    – “Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends” by Carol Buckley.

    Both books are illustrated with photographs.

  3. Elaine M. – A very sweet story. Thanks for posting it.

    The sequel is worth seeing, as well:

  4. AH–

    I, too, believe that many animals are sentient. Speaking of elephants–did you hear the story of Tarra and Bella–the elephant and a dog who became best friends:

    Tarra and Bella
    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdzassDm7eM&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Comments are closed.