Legal As She Is Spoke

By Jennifer Williams

It’s been years since you’ve allowed yourself an escape from the daily grind, and you’ve decided to take some time off to enjoy a family trip. You’re looking for a destination that will be both relaxing and educational. In no time at all, you’ve decided that Massachusetts is the place to go.

So you make the necessary calls, schedule the necessary accommodations, and pack the necessary gear. And when you finally arrive, you’re ready to explore the Bay State.

Somewhere along the way, you find yourself on a quiet street with beautiful antique mansions. Naturally, it’s a perfect photo op. Steady the camera, set the timer, everyone smile, and flash, picture taken. You review the photo to make sure it’s perfect only to notice a group of pigeons gathering in the background. So you shoo them away and get ready to pose with your family again.

Next thing you know, you’re in jail. That’s right. Because, my friend, in the great state of Massachusetts, it’s a crime to kill or scare pigeons and you can be punished by a fine or imprisonment.

We recently came across an article on Boston.com that shone a spotlight on this and other surprising Massachusetts laws (that reminded us of a great piece about New York laws by the late Christopher Hitchens for Vanity Fair).

Did Boston.com have its facts right?  Was anyone ever charged with violating these crazy laws? We investigated.

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