When most people think of Oklahoma, they imagine wide-open plains, college football, oil rigs, and rich Native American history. But dig a little deeper into the state’s law books, and you’ll find a bizarre collection of outdated, hilarious, and downright strange laws that defy logic. Whether these were once passed with serious intentions or simply the result of lawmakers having too much free time, Oklahoma’s weird laws are guaranteed to raise eyebrows—and a few chuckles.
Let’s take a look at some of the most jaw-dropping and giggle-worthy laws still on the books in the Sooner State.
It’s Illegal to Make “Ugly Faces” at Dogs
Yes, you read that right. In Oklahoma, it’s technically illegal to make “ugly faces” at a dog. According to the law, you can be fined or even jailed for making a face that could be considered offensive to a canine. While it’s unclear how one defines an “ugly face” or measures a dog’s feelings about it, the law seems more aimed at discouraging animal abuse. Still, the image of someone behind bars for pulling faces at a poodle is pretty comical.
No Bear Wrestling Allowed
If you had plans to don a leotard and take on a grizzly, think again. Oklahoma has a very specific law that bans the act of bear wrestling. This strange statute was passed to curb the once-popular (and highly unethical) practice of pitting humans against captive bears in staged fights. While it might seem like a relic of a wilder time, the law remains in place today. So for all aspiring bear wrestlers—better stick to the WWE.
You Can’t Read a Comic Book While Driving
Most states ban texting or using a phone while behind the wheel—but Oklahoma goes a step further. One of the odd traffic laws forbids reading comic books while driving. It may sound like a joke, but at some point, lawmakers apparently felt the need to prevent people from flipping through Batman or Spider-Man mid-commute. And honestly, they’re probably right.
Whale Hunting Is Banned in Oklahoma… Despite No Ocean
Oklahoma is landlocked, but that hasn’t stopped it from passing a law banning whale hunting. While this law has no practical relevance (unless whales start showing up in Lake Thunderbird), it serves as a humorous example of lawmakers perhaps copying boilerplate legislation from other states without much proofreading. Still, it’s good to know that the state’s whales—if any exist—are safe from harm.
Don’t Trip a Horse
In Oklahoma, it’s illegal to trip a horse for entertainment purposes. This law was aimed at rodeos or similar events where “horse tripping” might be used as a stunt. Though the intent is to protect animals, the specificity of the law makes it a head-scratcher for most outsiders. Still, better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting equine dignity.
Wearing Your Boots to Bed? Better Be Single
In one Oklahoma town, there’s a law that forbids married people from wearing boots to bed. Yes, apparently boot-sleeping is fine if you’re single, but married folks must go barefoot or stick to socks. No one seems to know where this law came from or why it only applies to the married, but it’s yet another gem in the state’s long list of quirky legal codes.
Donkeys Can’t Sleep in Bathtubs
This one is legendary in the world of strange American laws. In Oklahoma, it’s illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. The origin of this law dates back to a real incident in the 1920s when a rancher’s donkey wandered into a bathtub, fell asleep, and then was swept away during a flood. The animal was fine, but rescuing it became a major ordeal—hence the law. A weird but true piece of Oklahoma folklore.
No Profanity in Public Places (Especially in Front of the Dead)
While public decency laws exist everywhere, Oklahoma once had a law that prohibited swearing in the presence of a deceased person. Yes, even at a funeral, you were expected to keep it clean. The law may sound laughable now, but it reflects a time when civility and respect—especially in solemn places—were taken very seriously.
You Can Be Arrested for Having a “Fishy” Facial Expression
In some Oklahoma towns, local ordinances once banned people from pulling funny or “suspicious” faces in public—especially if they were loitering. This law wasn’t so much about humor as it was about controlling loitering and mischief. But the idea of someone being ticketed for their “face” is undeniably funny.
Conclusion
While many of these weird laws are no longer enforced—or were never seriously prosecuted—they still exist in the annals of Oklahoma’s legal history. They reflect a different time, unique local customs, or even public overreactions to strange events. But more than anything, they give us something to laugh about and remind us that the law isn’t always dry and serious.
So the next time you’re driving through the Sooner State, maybe skip the comic books, keep your boots out of bed, and definitely leave your bear-wrestling dreams at home. Oklahoma’s got laws for just about everything—even if they don’t always make sense.