Top 6 Weirdest Things That Could Actually Get You Arrested

It may seem like common sense that serious crimes land you behind bars. But from bizarre pranks to strange customs, some of the..

It may seem like common sense that serious crimes land you behind bars. But from bizarre pranks to strange customs, some of the weirdest arrests come from the most unexpected places. Here are seven of the weirdest things — around the world — that you might get arrested for.

1. Dumping rubbish in a dinosaur costume

You might expect littering to result in a fine — but imagine doing it dressed like a giant purple T. rex. That’s exactly what happened recently in Southend-on-Sea: CCTV caught a person in a T. rex outfit dumping bin bags by a lamppost under cover of darkness. The culprit dodged the town’s facial-recognition cameras — but authorities launched an investigation anyway.

This case shows that even seemingly silly pranks or disguises don’t exempt you from the law when you’re breaking municipal regulations.

2. Flashing a gun on social media — and getting arrested abroad

Posting a photo of yourself holding a gun may look cool on social media. But in some cases, that alone is enough to get you arrested. In the UK recently, a man from Yorkshire was detained after posting a picture of himself with a gun—allegedly in the United States. The nature of the post triggered police action. In a globally connected world, a careless image can have serious real-world consequences.

3. Stealing “weird” stuff — like cheese, sausage rolls, ducks or goats

Not all thefts are dramatic robberies — some are just, frankly, odd. In one collection of bizarre UK convictions, offenders have been prosecuted for stealing things like large quantities of cheese from dairy farms, sausage rolls from bakeries, and even a “reckless goat.”

The message: no matter how trivial or whimsical the item, theft is theft — and you could end up behind bars.

4. Knocking on a door or ringing a doorbell for fun — in the wrong place

Something as innocent as knocking on a door might land you in trouble under antiquated laws. In the UK, there are stories of people being arrested simply for ringing doorbells without a lawful reason — the crime is sometimes dismissed as “disturbing the peace.”

Yes — in some corners, prank doorbell ringing isn’t just annoying. It’s potentially criminal.

5. Feeding the Pigeons in the public

Around the world, many countries enforce odd laws that catch travellers off guard. Simple actions — feeding pigeons in a restricted area, wearing camouflage clothing in certain countries, eating chewing gum, or even carrying too many playing cards — can get you fined or arrested if you’re not careful. In Venice, feeding pigeons in public places, especially in the famous St. Mark’s Square, has been banned for years. This law took effect on 1 May 2008. The reason is simple: pigeons damage the city's historic buildings and monuments with their acidic droppings. They also attract pests and create hygiene problems for both locals and tourists. The ban is strictly enforced, and violators can face fines of up to €500.

In London, feeding pigeons in some areas, like Trafalgar Square, is banned to control their population. Years ago, the square had thousands of pigeons. They caused dirt, damaged statues, and posed potential health risks. Today, feeding them here can lead to fines of up to £500, which is about 678 dollars. In several Canadian cities, including Vancouver and Toronto, it is against the law to feed pigeons in public areas. Those who do can face fines of up to $365.

6. Trying to pull off a wild prank that involves animals or dangerous props

Some of the “weirdest arrests” come from what might seem like harmless or absurd pranks — but that involve borderline illegal actions. For instance, certain “wild” stories from the U.S. involve people driving through fast-food windows with live alligators, or riding Segways under the influence. These stunts resulted in arrests for animal-law violations, assault, and public safety offences.

What might make you a laugh among friends could make you a target for law enforcement.

🧠 The weird News take

Laws around the world vary widely — and sometimes bizarrely. What seems harmless or hilarious to one person might be illegal in another place. The seven entries above remind us that you don’t need to commit a high-profile crime to get arrested. A moment of poor judgment, a silly costume, or ignorance of local rules might be enough.

At Weird News Network, we celebrate the strange, the unexpected — but also highlight the real consequences. So next time you think about dressing as a dinosaur at midnight or posting a selfie with a gun — maybe think twice. For instance, banning this feeding pidgeon practice helps improves cleanliness and reduces droppings and feathers that make public areas dirty and uncomfortable.

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