The Weirdest Laws That Still Exist Today

Although laws are intended to maintain safety and justice, they can occasionally appear utterly bizarre. Some laws just don’t make sense, whether they are unusual rules that don’t appear to match current living or guidelines that were created a long time ago. The following are some of the most bizarre laws that are still in effect today:

• Alabama: It’s Illegal to Drive Blindfolded

Though it may sound funny at first, driving in Alabama while blindfolded is prohibited to protect the public’s safety. The state’s traffic laws don’t allow driving recklessly or dangerously, and driving while blind falls under both of these categories. Since it’s considered dangerous driving, it counts even if the word “blindfold” isn’t included in the rules. The law most likely originally came about as a result of individuals attempting foolish stunts or dares, such as the “Bird Box Challenge,” where participants blindfolded themselves to mimic the movie, and some even attempted driving that way.

• Arizona: It’s Illegal for a Donkey to Sleep in a Bathtub

There is an odd rule in Arizona that doesn’t allow donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. A rancher’s donkey used to sleep in an old bathtub in the 1920s, which led to the creation of this law. The bathtub and the donkey were carried miles away one day due to a flash flood. The donkey was saved by a massive rescue operation that included assistance from the National Guard. In order to prevent such occurrences in the future, the city’s solution was to create a law. This law is still in effect even though it isn’t actively enforced anymore, and it is frequently cited as one of the strangest laws in the United States. 

• California: Can’t Whistle for a Lost Canary Before 7 am

A region in Berkley, California, states that you are not allowed to whistle while looking for your missing canary before seven in the morning. It is designed to keep communities peaceful in the early hours of the morning. Although it remains a law in theory, it is no longer reinforced. It’s one of the several laws that have persisted despite their lack of applicability. This is an example of how many of these laws were created to originally address issues that are no longer present. 

• Connecticut: A Pickle Has to be Able to Bounce

Two men were caught selling rotting pickles in 1948, which led to the creation of the “bouncing pickle” law in Connecticut. A food safety authority determined that a decent pickle should bounce when dropped from a height of around one foot in order to ensure that it was safe to consume. Despite the lack of a former law stating that “a pickle must bounce,” the concept was included into the state’s food inspection regulations. Bouncing was a simple technique to assess the quality of a fresh pickle, which should be crisp and firm rather than squishy and mushy. 

• Delaware: Can’t Sell Dog Hair

It is against the law to sell dog or cat hair in Delaware. This law helps prevent animals from being hurt or shaved for the sole purpose of gathering their fur. It also stops a person from lying to customers by passing off pet hair as more costly materials like wool, which might pose health problems due to the possibility of allergies or parasites. As long as they don’t try to sell them, people can still use their pet’s hair to create personal things like hats or scarves. 

• Hawaii: It’s Illegal to Place a Coin in Someone’s Ear

The strange-sounding law in Hawaii that prevents putting a coin in someone’s ear is really a result of a law that intended to prevent people from manipulating others, particularly children. The authorities became concerned that these tactics were being used to deceive or exploit others, such as in popular tourist destinations. 

• Indiana: It’s Illegal to Ride a Horse Above 10 MPH

It is illegal to ride a horse more than 10 miles per hour on some roadways in Indiana, according to a law. The purpose of this is to protect both humans and animals. Riding a horse too quickly can be risky, especially in small towns where horses are still used for transportation or on highways where vehicles are present. It also keeps the horses safe, applying mainly to rural areas where horses are still a part of people’s daily lives. 

• Missouri: Bear Wrestling is Banned

It is, in fact, against the law to wrestle a bear in Missouri. This law was created to protect both people and animals as it bans not only bear wrestling but also the training, ownership, and sale of bears for the purpose of wrestling. The removal of their teeth and claws is also banned so they can’t be made less dangerous. In the past, bear wrestling was a harsh kind of entertainment since the bears were frequently mistreated or given drugs. 

• Montana: Can’t Gift Someone a Rat

Giving a rat as a present is not allowed in Montana unless you are a certified pet shop, breeder, or are using it for scientific purposes. This law serves to protect human health and the environment. Rats can present issues if they escape or are released into the wild since they can transmit diseases like Hanta virus. They might cause infestations or hurt the nearby animals.