Odd Laws Still on the Books
Selling an eye, a coyote as a pet, and a $50 dumping reward: real Texas sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the state's own statutes site.
Who handles this in Texas: State Bar of Texas, Lawyer Referral and Information Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Texas directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawSelling an eye | What it saysNobody may buy or sell a human organ for money, and the list names the kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, eye, bone and skin. Hair and blood are not on it. | Breaking itState jail felony |
| The lawA reward for a tip | What it saysA city or county may offer $50 for reporting illegal dumping that leads to a prosecution. | Breaking itNot an offense, a reward |
| The lawThe cover up tattoo | What it saysNobody under 18 may be tattooed, except to cover an existing gang, drug or offensive tattoo, with a parent there. | Breaking itSee the tattoo page |
| The lawA pet coyote | What it saysCoyotes and bobcats are dangerous wild animals, kept only with a yearly certificate of registration. | Breaking itClass C misdemeanor, each animal, each day |
Many laws that sound strange are city ordinances rather than state law, and those differ from town to town; this page covers only the state's codes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- Penal Code 48.02 — Prohibition of the purchase and sale of human organs
- Health & Safety 365.012 — Illegal dumping; discarding lighted materials; criminal penalties
- Health & Safety 146.012 — Tattoos prohibited for certain persons
- Health & Safety 822.101 — Dangerous wild animals; definitions
- Health & Safety 822.113 — Dangerous wild animals; offense and penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.