In a world governed by laws designed to maintain order and protect citizens, there exist some truly mind-boggling regulations that defy common sense. From preventing donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs to mandatory smiling, these bizarre laws continue to exist in legal codes around the globe. While some may seem humorous, they often reflect unique historical contexts or specific local concerns that led to their creation. Let’s explore ten of the strangest laws that still officially exist today.
1. No Suspicious Salmon Handling in England and Wales
Under Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986, it’s illegal to “handle salmon under suspicious circumstances” in England and Wales. The law was created to combat illegal fishing, but its peculiar wording has made it the subject of countless jokes. The maximum penalty? Two years imprisonment. So next time you’re carrying salmon in the UK, make sure you look as innocent as possible!
2. Mandatory Smiling in Milan, Italy
In Milan, it’s a legal requirement to smile at all times, except during funerals or hospital visits. This unusual rule dates back to Austro-Hungarian times and was never repealed. Historian Andrea Santangelo attributes the regulation to the suggestion of one Luigi Fabio. For everyone except mourners and hospital staff, there’s no excuse for being glum – or you could face a fine. Talk about enforcing positive vibes!
3. No Chickens Crossing the Road in Quitman, Georgia
Ever wonder why the chicken crossed the road? In Quitman, Georgia, it better not! Local law makes it illegal for chickens to cross the road, stating: “It shall be unlawful for any person owning or controlling chickens, ducks, geese or any other domestic fowl to allow the same to run at large upon the streets or alleys of the city.” Owners must keep their poultry under control at all times – no jaywalking allowed for these birds.
4. Toilet Hospitality Required in Scotland
In Scotland, an extension of old Scottish common law regarding hospitality means that if someone knocks on your door asking to use your bathroom, you legally cannot refuse them. While this law was never officially authorized by Parliament, it’s technically still enforceable today. Whether you’d find much success trying to enforce your toilet rights, however, might be another story entirely.
5. No Donkeys in Bathtubs in Arizona
In Arizona, it’s illegal to have a donkey sleeping in your bathtub. This peculiar law originated in the 1920s after a rancher in Kingman allowed his donkey to snooze in an abandoned bathtub on his property. When a dam burst and flooded the area, the donkey was carried away in the tub, forcing the town to expend considerable resources rescuing the animal. The frustrated townspeople then enacted this law to prevent similar incidents.
6. Pickle Bouncing Tests in Connecticut
In Connecticut, a pickle isn’t legally a pickle unless it bounces. This regulation was passed in the 1940s after two men were arrested for selling spoiled pickles. With no rigorous food safety standards in place at the time, officials devised the “bounce test” – if a pickle bounces when dropped, it’s considered properly made and fit for consumption. If it fails to bounce, it’s deemed rotten and illegal to sell.
7. No Forgetting Your Wife’s Birthday in Samoa
In Samoa, forgetting your wife’s birthday is against the law. While it’s unclear exactly how long your sentence would be (first offenses might only result in a warning), this law takes the concept of “doghouse” to a whole new level. Perhaps a legal reminder is the ultimate way to ensure marital harmony?
8. Canadian Content Requirements for Radio
Canadian patriotism is legally enforced on the airwaves. Canadian radio stations are required by law to play Canadian artists for at least 35% of their airtime, with special emphasis placed on weekdays during working hours. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation aims even higher, with more than half of their popular music programming sourced exclusively from Canadian artists. Hope you like Drake and Justin Bieber!
9. Mandatory Dog Walking in Turin, Italy
Dog owners in Turin, Italy face fines up to €500 if they don’t walk their pets at least three times daily. Italy considers itself an animal-loving nation, and Turin boasts the most stringent animal protection rules in the country – they’ve even banned fairgrounds from giving away goldfish in bags. To enforce the law, police rely largely on tips from neighbors who spot cruel treatment.
10. Pre-Death Burial Plot Requirement in Sarpourenx, France
The mayor of Sarpourenx, France issued an edict forbidding people from dying within city limits unless they had previously purchased a plot in the local parish cemetery. People who broke this rule by dying without a plot would be “severely punished” – though exactly how one punishes the dead remains unclear. The mayor introduced this unusual law after being told his parish couldn’t purchase more cemetery land, though he later apologized for any upset caused.
These bizarre laws remind us that legal systems, while primarily designed to maintain order and protect citizens, sometimes produce regulations that seem absurd to modern sensibilities. Whether they’re remnants of historical events, attempts to address unique local problems, or simply the product of overzealous legislators, they add a touch of peculiarity to our world’s legal landscape. The next time you travel abroad, you might want to check the local statutes – you never know what strange rules you might unintentionally break!