Weird Massachusetts laws involving pigeons, haunted houses, milk cartons and more
Laws on pigeon scares, milk cart vandalism and belting out the national anthem all exist in the state of Massachusetts.
The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the oldest written constitution in the world, according to Mass.gov. The historical text was written by John Adams.
If you look at the laws in Massachusetts, you’re sure to find some head-scratchers, but the state is far from the only one with strange laws still on the books.
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Below are a few of the strange laws that exist in the state of Massachusetts.
Some of the strangest Massachusetts laws you may not have known about include pigeons, milk cartons and alcohol-laced candy. (Stock)
- Think twice before scaring a pigeon
- Good thing, getting arrested for destroying a milk carton
- No more than 1% alcohol in sweets
- Penalties for singing or playing the national anthem
- Avoid changing the color of the rabbit or chicken
- Spooky real estate law
1. Think twice before scaring a pigeon
Before sneaking a pigeon in Massachusetts, consider this little-known law.
You may have seen a few pigeons in Massachusetts, but it is best to leave them alone, because it is illegal in Massachusetts to scare them.
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“Doves, killing or terrorizing” is covered in Chapter 255, Section 132 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
“Anyone who deliberately kills pigeons on beds made of pigeons, or frightens them for the purpose of catching them in nets in any way, within a hundred rods of them, except on legally built land, will be punished. imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding twenty dollars, and he shall also be liable for actual damages to the owner or occupant of such beds,” said the law.
In Massachusetts, it’s best to leave the pigeons alone. (Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
2. Good, possible arrest for destroying a milk carton
With the average cost of a gallon of milk around $4 in 2024, you could end up spending more than you intended by breaking this rule.
In Massachusetts, there is a law that clearly states the penalty for destroying a milk carton, which is a $10 fine.
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“Whoever, without the consent of the owner, knowingly and intentionally, destroys, alters or obscures, or causes to be erased, altered or obscured, the name, initial or device of any milk seller, marked or stamped on the milk. who shall, with intent to defraud and without such permission, enclose or use in his business any such thing as may have the name, initial or instrument of any milk dealer marked or stamped thereon, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars,” says Chapter 255, Section 128 of the law of Massachusetts .
3. No more than 1% alcohol in sweets
Don’t expect any boozy candy in Massachusetts, as candy must contain less than 1% alcohol, according to state law.
This is written in Chapter 270, Section 8 of the Massachusetts General Law.
Violation of this rule may result in a fine of up to $100.
Candy in Massachusetts must contain less than 1% alcohol. (ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
4. Penalties for singing or playing the national anthem
Before the famous chants of “Oh you see” leave your lips in Massachusetts, consider this law in the state.
Anyone who hoists “The Star-Spangled Banner” or plays it on an instrument in any kind of public space “without full and distinct formation or number” could face a fine of up to $100.
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Chapter 264, Section 9 of the Massachusetts statute states that “whoever plays, sings or offers the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ in any public place, theater, motion picture hall, restaurant or cafe, or any public entertainment, except in all different formations or numbers, without embellishment or addition in the form of country or other music, or anyone playing, singing or interpreting ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, any part of it, as music of a dance, as a march out or as part of a fine of any kind, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.”
5. Avoid changing the color of the rabbit or chicken
There are several provisions in Massachusetts law regarding the sale, trade or gift of chickens, ducks, rabbits and other birds.
This includes dyeing or coloring these animals.
“No person shall sell, trade, barter, exhibit or give away live rabbits, chickens, ducks or other birds which have been dyed, colored or otherwise colored to give them an artificial color,” Chapter 272, Section 80D. of the law of the land explains.
There is a law against poisoning children’s chickens in Massachusetts. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Additional provisions of this law include the sale, exchange or gift of ducks, chicks or birds under 2 months of age.
“Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the sale or display of young chickens, ducks or other birds under two months of age by breeders or retail stores for breeding and breeding purposes; as long as that happens, that is before May begins in any year, those ducks may be sold or bought only in quantities of twenty-four or more,” explains the law.
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“This section shall not, however, prohibit the sale or donation of chickens, ducks or similar birds to schools for use in the classroom,” according to state law.
Violators can be fined up to $100.
6. Law of spooky real estate
Real estate laws vary by state.
One difference between states regarding real estate is how much information is legally required to be disclosed to potential buyers. This includes scary events and crazy stuff.
In Massachusetts, a seller “does not have to disclose a property that has been mentally affected, including a suspected psychic or paranormal activity,” according to Zillow’s website.
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