By Jill K. Applegate

Spring is springing up everywhere! The weather’s warming up, the Easter Bunny’s at his busiest, and it’s a time when traditions of all kinds bring families to the dinner table. As the valley thaws, don’t overlook these little-known laws that may come into play this time of year.

Fuzzy Bunnies
An Easter bunny of your very own—better yet a pink bunny—may sound like a cute idea, but under California law (Penal Code 599), it’s a misdemeanor to give away live chicks, rabbits, or ducks as an incentive to enter a contest or a business. It’s not illegal to dye eggs, but after the chicks are born, dying them or their bunny and duckling friends is not allowed.

Not Kosher
Purim is in March and Passover is in April, so happy feasting! But keep in mind that selling non-kosher meat or other food as kosher violates California Penal Code 383b—as well as the religious laws and the laws of good taste.

Puppy Love
Spring is well known as a time of rebirth. Well, it’s a time of birth too. Soon the streets and websites will be filled with notices of puppies to take home and love. They’re cute when they’re little, but when they’re too little, they need their moms to give them a healthy start. To keep them in the nursery longer, California’s Penal Code section 597z (a)(1) makes it an infraction or a misdemeanor to sell a dog that is not yet eight weeks old. It could cost you up to $250 per violation.