Some Strange Bans From Brazil.

In Bocaiuva do Sul, PR it was once illegal any kind of contraceptive measures (local population was shrinking and the town faced the risk of extinction). In force for only 24 hours.

In São Luís, MA it was illegal to wear any kind of mask, except during Carnaval so that "crooks could be told apart from law-abiding citizens". It was later revoked·

In Brazil as a whole any depredation of nature committed on a Sunday or a holiday awards a doubled penalty. The law is still in force.

In Pouso Alegre, MG you are fined if you make spelling mistakes in banners, posters, ads or public displays. A similar law exists in Guaruja, SP. Both still valid.

In Rio Claro, SP watermelons are illegal. You shouldn't plant, harvest, transport, sell or consume them. The law was never revoked, but neither was enforced. Another law that was (and is) enforced in the same city is one that forbids you from keeping an anthill in your lawn. If an anthill is found in your property, you are fined and must pay for its removal.

In Sao João Del Rey, MG any animal that is found in the streets without identification must be put to death after four days. Still in force.

In Santa Maria, RS dogs mustn't bark after 10 pm lest their owners are fined. Still in force.

In Paraíso, SP people were once forbidden to die until a new cemetery was built. In force for two weeks until it made national news and the mayor told the press the law was not serious, and merely a protest against the state governor, who denied the city the use of the last available land, where a cemetery would be built. AFAIK a cemetery was built on land ceded by a neighbouring town.

In Manaus, AM you mustn't wear all-white clothes unless you're a health worker or a doctor. In the same city trash trucks mustn't smell. The first law is in force.

In Aparecida, SP women mustn't wear miniskirts and priests must wear the cassock. Or at least it was like this from 1951 to 1979.

In Petropolis, RJ you mustn't have a sea bath while wearing a carnaval costume. Just in case you are wondering, Petropolis is about 75 km from the sea, in a straight line. Still in force -- and never ever breached.

In Capelinha, MG you mustn't sell booze to homeless people or any handicapped person. Still in force.

In Brazil people who were ran over by a car must test for alcohol in their blood too. Approved as a resolution in 1998, revoked a year later, amended to the Transit Code and only revoked when the newer Transit Code was enforced, many years later. What makes the law so strange is that those who refused to blow the alcohometer would be fined or, in case of stubborn refusal,would be jailed. It begs the question of what happened when the victim died...

There is a federal law from 1966 banning sugar production at home. Still in force.

All cetaceans (whales, dolphins and the like) enjoy legal protection over the country, though in a bizarre way. The law says that you mustn't "molest" them. Still in force.

There is a little enforced federal law that punishes you if you name your pet with a human name, but only if someone with the same name litigates you. Legal status unknown.

And now the most extraordinary one...

Back in colonial times (the law existed for almost a century) the cuckolded husband could legally kill his wife's lover provided that:

a) he had witnessed the act at least once
b) had at least two unrelated witnesses
c) he used a gun
d) he wore a special helmet "adorned" (or should I say "adhorned") with horns from the moment he left home until the moment he killed the culprit.

Chances are most men would consider forgiving their wives....

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