Some countries have the most bizarre laws and here are 15 interesting ones

Did you know it's illegal to wrestle a bear in South Africa? Well, it's true, and just one of the many bizarre rules that still holds true around the world. Also, why would you wrestle a bear? Anyway, laws are many to keep us safe and enable a society to function, largely for the better, but sometimes for the worse. Countries have laws that reflect their cultures and values, but in certain cases, they really make you sit up and take notice because they are so outrageous, reported Bored Panda. It just makes you wonder what the lawmakers had in mind while writing these laws. Some of the laws have become dated with time, but have continued to remain in the lawbooks. Here are 15 of the most bizarre laws that still exist. 

1. It's illegal for your chicken to cross the road in Georgia

Why did the chicken cross the road? It didn't, because it's illegal. As per an ordinance in the town of Quitman, Georgia, domestic bord owners should keep their birds away from public streets and other public places. "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 or to be upon the premises of any other person, without the consent of such other person," states Chapter 8 of the city’s Code of Ordinance.

2. Employers could be fined if their employees are overweight in Japan

The law passed in 2008, sees employers being fined if the waistlines of employees who are older than 40 and younger than 74 is wider than 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women. The person who is found overweight will be offered counseling, advice from professionals, or exercise classes.

3. It's illegal to feed pigeons in Venice 

Tourists feeding pigeons in St. Mark's square in Venice was a common sight until a law banned feeding the birds. Pigeons were found to be pecking at, and damaging monuments which resulted in a municipal ordinance banning people from feeding them in the square, in 2008.

4. You're not allowed to take selfies with Buddha in Sri Lanka

It's considered offensive to turn your back on Buddha in Sri Lanka and taking a selfie means turning your back. French tourists were once convicted under a section of the Penal Code that outlaws deeds intended to wound or insult "the religious feelings of any class of persons." They had posed for a picture pretending to kiss a Buddha statue.

5. You could end up in jail for disrupting a wedding in Australia

If you willfully disrupt a wedding, funeral, or any religious service in South Australia, you could be fined $10,000 or be imprisoned for 2 years.

6. It's illegal to enter the British Parliament wearing armor

No one really walks around wearing armor anymore, but to this day no one is allowed to enter the British Parliament wearing armor. The Statute Forbidding Bearing Of Armour or Coming Armed To Parliament Act was enacted in 1313.  

7. You have to walk your dog three times a day if you are in Turin, Italy

According to a rule instated in 2006, dog owners must walk their dogs three times a day or face fines rising up to $600.
 

8. It's illegal to sell and import chewing gum in Singapore

Chewing gum was banned in Singapore in 1992 after vandals began sticking chewing gum on the door sensors of MRT trains, which caused the doors to malfunction. The gum was also stuck on mailboxes, inside keyholes, etc. While it's not illegal now, there's a ban on importing and selling chewing gum. 

9. You could end up in jail for fortune telling in Baltimore, Maryland

Fortune telling for money is forbidden and is punishable with a fine rising up to $500 or face 1 year in jail.

10. It was illegal to dance after midnight In Japan until 2015

Dance halls in Japan were linked to prostitution and hence a ban was instituted to stop dancing after midnight since 1948. While never enforced, the law wasn't struck down until 2015.
 

11. Drunk people can't be in charge of a cow in the UK

As per the Licensing Act 1872 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, “Every person who is drunk while in charge on any highway or other public place of any carriage, horse, cattle, or steam engine […] shall be liable to a penalty.”

12. It was illegal to wear a mask covering the full face in Denmark before the pandemic

In 2018, Denmark’s parliament approved a law that makes it illegal to wear garments that cover the face in public. Many slammed the law claiming it was aimed at Muslim women who wear veils. During the pandemic, Denmark made it mandatory to use face masks.

13. It's forbidden to climb trees in Oshawa, Canada

A law instituted in 2008 made it illegal to climb trees. “No person shall interfere with a tree or part of a tree located on municipal property, including but not limited to attaching, affixing, or placing upon in any manner any object or thing to a tree or part of a tree, and climbing the tree,” read the law.

14. It's Illegal To Pay With Too Many Coins In Canada 

You might have saved up Canadian coins in your piggy bank but might not be able to spend in build as there are limitations on what you can pay for with which coin. Under Canada’s Currency Act of 1985 you can pay "(a) forty dollars if the denomination is two dollars or greater but does not exceed ten dollars; (b) twenty-five dollars if the denomination is one dollar; (c) ten dollars if the denomination is ten cents or greater but less than one dollar; (d) five dollars if the denomination is five cents; and (e) twenty-five cents if the denomination is one cent."

15. Public buildings in Wyoming must have art displays

As per Wyoming Statute 16-6-802, newly constructed public buildings are mandated to include art displays at a cost equal to 1% of the building’s total construction costs.