On February 13, 2026, the criminal court in Douai, Nord, France, recognized Sultane, a Jack Russell terrier, as a victim of animal cruelty, awarding her 2,000 euros in damages. Sultane had been subjected to sexual abuse by her owner for six years, a situation brought to light by a video filmed by the owner's son, who was also a victim of abuse. This landmark decision, championed by animal law advocate Me Graziella Dode, establishes the concept of "animal prejudice," acknowledging an animal's suffering as a direct consequence of an offense. The concept is inspired by ecological prejudice and aims to recognize animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing harm, with compensation directed to animal protection associations.