Peacocks have Right of Way

While visiting a friend in Arcadia today I heard a weird squawking noise. I turned down my radio and heard it again, louder.

Then 20 feet in front of my car a peacock began walking slowly across the street.

When I began to veer left of the bird a neighbor burst out her front door, sprinted across her front yard while screaming at me, "STOP! STOP!! STOP!!!"

I slammed on my brakes and lowered my window thinking this frantic woman needs 911.

She stopped by my window huffing and puffing and says, "Thank God you stopped! Our beloved Peacocks have the right of the way here!!"

Huh?

"Yeah, whatever lady," I muttered, rolled up my window and continued to steer past the motionless stupid bird staring at me like a traffic cop. Then I heard her scream, "I have your license plate! I'm going to report you!"

Uh-huh. I expected her to finish with a battle cry "Peacocks Rule!"

When I arrived at my friend's house and recounted my story he said it's true that peacocks have the right of way on streets and driveways and that I could get cited for not observing this city ordinance.

For real? Yes he said. I'm skeptical so I called Arcadia's Attorney's office for the legal answer. A polite woman answered and confirmed my friend's story that Peacocks have the right of way on streets, and driveways, in Arcadia.

So there you have it. Another weird CA law.

I wonder what other weird laws like this exist in Los Angeles? I'm going to investigate and let you know in future postings.