Odd Laws Still on the Books
Goldfish prizes, ferrets near birds and a 20 yard litter line: real Massachusetts sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the General Laws.
Who handles this in Massachusetts: Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs, listed in the Massachusetts directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA live animal as a prize | What it saysNo one may offer or give away any live animal as a prize or award in a game, contest or tournament of skill or chance, outside animal husbandry programs. | Breaking itA fine of not more than one hundred dollars |
| The lawA ferret near the birds | What it saysHaving a ferret in your possession anywhere birds or mammals may be found makes you liable to the penalties for hunting with one. | Breaking itThe section's penalties |
| The lawThe 20 yard line | What it saysDumping is forbidden not just on a highway or a beach but within 20 yards of either. | Breaking itA fine of up to $5,500 |
| The lawNo tanning before 18 | What it saysNo person under 18 years of age may use a tanning device. | Breaking itSet by the health rules |
Many laws that sound strange are town bylaws rather than state law, and those differ from place to place; this page covers only the General Laws. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- G.L. c. 272, § 80F — Giving away live animals as prizes or awards
- G.L. c. 131, § 77 — Ferrets; possession and use
- G.L. c. 270, § 16 — Disposal of rubbish on or near highways and waters; penalties
- G.L. c. 111, § 211 — Use of tanning devices by minors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.