Odd Laws Still on the Books
A pet skunk, an eyeball tattoo and bullfrogs by flashlight: real Nebraska sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Nebraska Revised Statutes.
Who handles this in Nebraska: Nebraska State Bar Association, Find a Lawyer; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Nebraska directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA pet skunk | What it saysNo one may keep a skunk in captivity, along with wolves, wild cats and bears. | Breaking itClass IV misdemeanor |
| The lawAn eyeball tattoo | What it saysNo one but a licensed physician, within the scope of practice, may tattoo any surface of the eye. | Breaking itA civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars for each violation |
| The lawBullfrogs | What it saysBullfrogs are taken with a fishing permit, in the commission's seasons and limits, and an artificial light may be used. | Breaking itSet by the commission's rules |
| The lawBearbaiting | What it saysWatching a dogfight, a cockfight or bearbaiting as a spectator is a crime, not only putting one on. | Breaking itClass IIIA felony |
Many laws that sound strange are city or county ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the Revised Statutes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Nebraska attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-477 — Certain animals kept in captivity; permit required; exceptions
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-10,172 — Scleral tattooing; prohibited acts; civil penalty
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-4,107 — Bullfrogs; fishing permit required; manner of taking
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1005 — Dogfighting, cockfighting, bearbaiting, or pitting an animal against another
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-482 — Certain wild animals; keeping in captivity; violations; penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Nebraska attorney.