Alabama enacted a specific bear wrestling ban in 1996, making it a Class B felony under former Ala. Code § 13A-12-5, but repealed it in 2015 as obsolete. No current law prohibits bear wrestling statewide, though general animal cruelty statutes (Ala. Code § 13A-11-14) apply to exploitative fights. Other “weird” Alabama laws include bans on selling peanuts in Lee County after sunset or dyeing baby chicks.
Bear Wrestling History
The 1996 law targeted traveling shows, outlawing promotion, training, or surgical alteration (e.g., declawing) of bears for matches, with penalties up to 20 years. Enacted after bar events like those with “Terrible Ted,” it passed overwhelmingly but vanished in 2015 cleanup. Modern enforcement falls under broader anti-cruelty rules.
Other Odd Prohibitions
- Forcing mental patients to sing (Class C misdemeanor).
- Putting salt on railroad tracks (misdemeanor).
- No minor singing in a bar with a piano, even if empty.
Enforcement Reality
These relics rarely lead to charges; courts prioritize active statutes. Bear-related activities now risk federal Animal Welfare Act violations if commercial. Local ordinances in counties like Cherokee may add layers.
