21 of the world’s most bizarre laws
1. You cannot give alcoholic drinks to moose in Alaska
In a bizarre law, it is illegal to serve alcohol to moose in Fairbanks, Alaska. Moose can become aggressive if they drink alcohol or fermented fruits.
2. Flushing the toilet after 10pm is illegal in Switzerland.
It is illegal to flush the toilet after 10pm in an apartment building in Switzerland as the government considers it noise pollution.
3. Illegal to fall asleep in a meeting with Kim Jong Un
If you dare to fall asleep while the North Korean dictator is speaking, the consequences could be fatal.
4. You cannot drunkenly ride a cow in Scotland
It is an offence in Scotland to be drunkenly in charge of a cow and horse, according to the Licensing Act 1872, which means riding a cow while intoxicated is out of the question.
If found guilty, one could be jailed for up to 51 weeks.
5. Illegal to swear in UAE
In the United Arab Emirates, if you are caught swearing, you could face a fine, jail or deportation.
6. Illegal to pass wind in a public place in Florida after 6pm
In Florida, US, it is illegal to pass wind in a public place after 6pm as you would be deemed to be causing a public nuisance. It’s not clear how this law would be enforced – but it might be best to rush home to avoid passing wind in public.
7. Illegal to build sandcastles on some beaches in Spain
In some areas of Spain, it is illegal for children and adults alike to build sandcastles on beaches in a bizarre law.
8. Illegal for women to wear a bikini or for men to go topless in Barcelona
In Barcelona, it is illegal to go bare-chested or wear a bikini except at the city’s beaches.
9. Setting off fireworks in Norway is illegal – apart from New Year’s Eve
In Norway, it is illegal to set off fireworks – apart from on New Year’s Eve from 6pm to 3am on January 1 each year.
Any fireworks that are lit at any other time are illegal under Norwegian law.
10. Dog owners must walk their dogs at least three times a day in Turin, Italy
Dog owners in Turin, Italy, will be fined up to 500 euros if they don’t walk their dogs at least three times a day under a law from the city’s council.
11. Russia makes it illegal for shops to sell lacy underwear for women
In Russia, lacy underwear is effectively banned in Russia under regulations that were introduced in 2014.
12. Illegal for married women to have more than glass of wine at restaurants in La Paz, Bolivia
In La Paz, Bolivia, a bizarre law makes it illegal for restaurants or bars to serve married women more than one glass of wine.
13. People are not allowed to mow their lawns on a Sunday in Norway
In Norway, Sunday is a day of rest and by law, you are not allowed to carry out any activity that makes a lot of noise – and that includes mowing your lawn.
14. Illegal to litter in Singapore
In Singapore, it is illegal to litter and first time-offenders can be fined up to 1,000 Singaporean dollars (£640).
15. Illegal to be overweight in Japan
Save for Sumo wrestlers, people in Japan will be fined if their waistline is too big in a national attempt to slim down citizens.
16. Illegal to neuter dogs in Norway
Pet owners are not allowed to neuter their dogs without a good medical reason is illegal in Norway.
17. Illegal for chickens to cross the road in Georgia
If you own any chickens in Quitman, a city in Georgia, it is illegal to let them cross the road.
The law stipulates that owners must have their chickens under control at all times.
18. Illegal to leave your house in Thailand if you are not wearing underwear
In Thailand, it is illegal to leave the house without any underwear on as part of a law on public indecency. It is not clear how the police enforce this law.
19. Illegal to eat or drink on public transport in UAE
Eating and drinking is banned on all forms of public transport and their stations in the UAE.
If you are caught doing either on the train or bus, you will be fined £21 (Dhs 100).
20. Illegal to spit in public in Singapore
In Singapore, it is illegal to spit in a public place. Those who are caught spitting can be fined 1,000 Singaporean dollars (£640) for the first offence.
21. You are not allowed to kiss on train platforms in France
It is illegal for couples to kiss in French train stations on a platform.