Strange but True…Animal Laws

On our morning show, we often comment on lawmakers and what they've been up to. Many times we've looked at a proposed or recently passed law and have declared: "That's not what government is for!"

These lawmakers tell us what we can and cannot eat, what kind of lightbulbs we're allowed to own, what kind of toilet is legally allowed to be installed in our homes, etc. Some lawmakers, I think, got into politics simply because they like telling people what to do.

The thing is...they don't confine themselves to ordering around their fellow bipeds. Nope, they want a voice in animal behavior, too.

I thoroughly enjoyed a piece by Valerie Trumps at Pet360.com in which Valerie takes a look at some of the strangest animal laws on the books around the country.

How strange? Take a look.

1. When in Alaska, do not ever shove a live moose out of an airplane midflight.

2. And you can shoot a bear, but don’t wake him up from sleeping to take his photograph.

3. In the town of Juneau, AK, keep your flamingo out of barber shops.

4. In Arkansas, make sure all cows walking down Main Street are home before 1:00 PM on Sunday.

5. In Belvedere, CA, dogs are not allowed in public places without their masters on leashes (they may want to rethink the wording of this one).

6. Apparently dogs in Colorado can read, because the dog catcher must notify them of potential impounding by posting a notice on a tree for three days prior.

I really like #5. I'd love to wander around Belvedere, California with a collar around my neck and the leash attached to my dog's paw, but I don't think my dog would go for it. Although, in trying to teach her to fetch a tennis ball, I threw the ball, ran after it, then brought it back in my mouth. I couldn't get her to do that, but she did stand on her back legs and applaud while shouting "Attaboy! Attaboy!" whenever I did it.

A few more:

7. Hartford, CT dogs are not so fortunate, because it is illegal to educate them.

8. Cats in heat must be silenced in Columbus, GA, where they are not allowed to howl after 9 PM.

9. Same goes for dogs in Little Rock, AR, only they must cease barking after 6 PM.

10. Any fishing in Idaho must not be done while sitting on top of a camel.

11. In Chicago, IL, French Poodles are deprived of the arts, since they are not allowed into the opera.

12. Iowa cowboys must restrain their horses from eating fire hydrants (can it really be that hard?).

More odd animal laws can be found here.

Also, for dog goofiness, check this out.