The honorable Judge Barbara Jaffe of Manhattan has signed an order to show cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be issued behalf of a nonhuman animal. The case was brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on behalf of two chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, who are being held at NY State University at Stony Brook on Long Island, New York. The Attorney General of New York State, representing the SUNY, has until May 6th to reply with reasons why chimps are not persons entitled to liberty.

Earlier this year, a higher court rejected a writ filed by the NhRP on behalf of a chimp held near Albany, NY. That case is on appeal to NY's highest court, with whom I have filed an amicus brief to oppose issuance of a writ. See also, my amicus brief explaining why the nonhuman animals should not be treated as persons under the law. Without having legal responsibilities, they cannot have legal rights.