from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
WHELPS. 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.