The 'byelaws for the good rule and government of the City of Leeds’ was made for the "prevention of nuisances" by the Council of the City in pursuance of Section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972.
From cleaning mud off your vehicle before hitting the road to restrictions on making noise near homes, churches and hospitals, the laws cover some rather unexpected situations.
Some sound particularly unusual by modern standards – including one specifically dealing with bulls being led through the city and another concerning the sale of contraceptives from street-facing slot machines.
We’ve taken a look through the council’s official list of byelaws and picked out 11 of the weirdest rules still listed today.
1. Bulls
No person shall drive or lead, or cause to be driven or led, in any street or public place, any bull exceeding the age of ten months, unless it be properly secured and kept under proper control. | Adobe Stock
2. Sale of contraceptives
It's an offence to offer a contraceptive for sale by means of any automatic machine (such as a vending machine) - so placed that it can be used by persons who are in a street. | Adobe Stock
3. Stink bombs and fireworks
No person shall, with intent to cause annoyance or inconvenience, throw or let off any firework, stink-bomb or similar article, or squirt, spray or otherwise throw or scatter any offensive liquid, powder or substance in any place of entertainment to which the public are admitted. | Adobe Stock
4. Singing loudly if asked to stop
There is a bylaw that says no one can sing loudly within 100 metres of a house or office if they have been asked to stop. This doesn't apply to 'properly conducted religious services' unless someone living nearby is seriously ill. | Alliance - stock.adobe.com
5. Mud falling from vehicles
There is a bylaw that says that any mud, clay, lime or other material that falls from your vehicle onto the highway must be removed from the road. This includes trailers and agricultural vehicles. | Adobe Stock
6. Music near hospitals
You are not allowed to play music or a noisy instrument within 100 metres of a hospital after being asked to stop by a patient, staff or police. | Jonathan Gawthorpe