Here’s an oldie but goodie I’m sharing for the first time. As a tourist, there are countless things to spend your money on while visiting various cities. When I found out one of them was a fine for molesting or interfering with butterflies in Pacific Grove, California, I wrote the City offices to learn more…

Dear City of Pacific Grove Law Explainers:

I was considering a trip to Pacific Grove because I hear it’s a very beautiful part of the country. I’ve also heard that you have a large butterfly population and that there’s a $500 fine for bothering them.

I would never bother a butterfly intentionally, but could you please elaborate on this law? What exactly constitutes bothering a butterfly? I imagine chasing after them with a butterfly net would be irritating to them, but what else? Can you talk to them? Feed them? Stroke them? What are they sensitive about?

I think it’s great that you protect butterflies so strictly! Animals like bees can sting you if you bother them, but butterflies are so thin and defenseless. They look like they’re made out of the same material as tissues, don’t you think?

Butter flies! Margarine walks! That’s what I always say!

The City Attorney responded with:

In response to your April 26, 1997, letter, please read the enclosed local regulation covering monarch butterflies. (By the way, the fine is now $1,000.00).

As to your questions, most people simply watch. Touching or stroking monarchs would, in my opinion, interfere with their peaceful occupancy, to use the words in the regulation. Some people talk to them, although to date no one has reported a response. Monarchs, I am told, rely exclusively on milkweed for nourishment — attempts to feed them anything else would, again, be interference, and in any event would likely be unsuccessful. They are sensitive to changing temperature (they simply cling to trees if it’s too cold), smoke, noise, probably a number of other things as well.

Thank you for the inquiry.

Final Thoughts: If you visit Pacific Grove, California and you’re the kind of wacko that would interfere with the peaceful occupancy of monarchs, I hope they throw the book at you and fine you for every butterfly you even think about molesting! Furthermore, if you already exhibit, or sense you might develop unnatural feelings for monarch butterflies, or have been previously caught and identified as a Monarchophile, please seek the help of a lepidopterologist immediately whether you plan to visit Pacific Grove or not.

The City Attorney’s response was thoughtful and helpful. He took the time to provide a copy of the local regulation. He offered additional insight by answering my questions in detail. Plus, he did it all with flair and friendliness. Don’t you wish more City representatives treated you like this? It was also refreshing to encounter an attorney who was more like a butterfly than a shark.

In contrast, I sent a similar letter more recently to the City of Pacific Grove. I wondered how all these years later they currently interpreted what bothering a butterfly meant. Since I strongly feel someone should fine my wife whenever she sings because that definitely interferes with my peaceful occupancy, I inquired as to whether singing might bother a butterfly, pointing out that I could see some butterflies enjoying a tune from Madame Butterfly more so than maybe CATS. I also fondly remember Muhammad Ali in his prime boasting that he could, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” So I asked whether anyone ever saw Ali studying or shadow boxing with butterflies in Pacific Grove. Unfortunately, there’s a new City Attorney in town now and this legal department didn’t respond, so those questions remain unanswered.

Here’s where you can explore more information about the City of Pacific Grove. You’ll also find this really interesting piece about the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. According to the article, the regulation is still in effect and the fine remains $1,000.00.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that corporations and organizations aren’t the only operations that provide services and experiences. Cities and other government-related offices do as well. The lesson here is that when you need more information about a place, program, product or police enforced public regulation, don’t ever wing it. At least make an attempt to contact the appropriate party in the city or Write The Company.