In the 142 years since the founding of Moose Jaw there have been plenty of opportunities for some rather interesting occurrences and the subsequent rules and regulations to address them going forward.
The story behind the creation of one such rule, enshrined in Moose Jaw’s Bylaw-No-4423, is one that is begging to be told.
Bylaw-No-4423-The-Miscellaneous-Bylaw, Subsection 34(1) states:
34(1) Except for horses, no person shall ride or drive any animal or animals on any street or in any public place.
(2) No person shall ride, drive or lead any horse within the City of Moose Jaw except on a public highway and in conformity with the provisions of the Traffic Bylaw and the Vehicles Act.
(3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2) of this Section, horses may be ridden, driven, or led on areas specifically set aside for such purpose on the Moose Jaw Exhibition grounds.
While the exception for horses is understandable, it does beg the question as to what other peculiar mounts were utilized in the city.
Was it perhaps a gang of bandits who, bucking tradition, threw saddles onto cattle during frontier times? A town drunk who selected a moose as a safe ride home, or even a high school prank gone awry?
No matter the cause, just know that if you find yourself inclined to take a ride on the local wildlife, your antics may just lead to a subsection of your own being added to this bizarre local bylaw.
It is worth noting that it has yet to be determined if receiving a piggy-back ride would land you in hot water with our local bylaw enforcement.