There is a long history of animals, particularly goats being tried for heresy and witchcraft, and if found guilty, executed - so I'd say your lot got off pretty lightly. This wasn't in 'The Dark Continent' as it was called in colonial days, but in 'enlightened' Europe. I'm pretty sure Scotland featured strongly in the practice.
There are several books on the subject - can't remember the titles, but one has an illustration of a donkey being hanged (hence the saying 'hung like a donkey'!!!)(sorry, couldn't resist).
Jim Carroll