Legal Term: WHELPS.

Definition: The young of certain animals of a base nature, or ferae naturae.

2. It is a rule that when no larceny can be committed of any creatures of a base nature, which are ferae naturae, though tame and reclaimed, it cannot be committed of the young of such creatures in the nest, kennel, or den. 3 Inst. 109, 1 Russ. on Cr. 153.

3. The owner of the land is, however, considered to have a qualified property in such animals, ratione impotentia. 2 Bl. Com. 394.

Return to the Legalnut.com Law Dictionary