It is illegal to be drunk while in charge of a cow in Scotland
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The Licensing Act (Scotland) of 1872 makes it an offence to be drunk while in charge of a cow, horse, carriage, or steam engine — or while carrying a loaded firearm. The law was passed during an era when drunken drovers were genuinely causing accidents on public roads. It carries a maximum fine of £200 and applies to any road or public place. The cow clause was practically applied as recently as 2013, when a man in Scotland was cautioned. In 1872, this was urgent legislation. Today it is remarkable that it is still on the books.
A Victorian law against drunk cow-herding is still fully enforceable in Scotland today and has been used within living memory.
The Science Behind It
The Licensing Act (Scotland) of 1872 makes it an offence to be drunk while in charge of a cow, horse, carriage, or steam engine — or while carrying a loaded firearm. The law was passed during an era when drunken drovers were genuinely causing accidents on public roads. It carries a maximum fine of £200 and applies to any road or public place. The cow clause was practically applied as recently as 2013, when a man in Scotland was cautioned. In 1872, this was urgent legislation. Today it is remarkable that it is still on the books.
Why Your Brain Finds This Hard to Believe
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