According to local lore in Azerbaijan, there was an unusual custom or rule, particularly in traditional marketplaces, that discouraged or even prohibited feeding animals near food stalls. This supposed practice was rooted in the concern that feeding stray cats, dogs, or other animals right next to vendors selling fresh produce or cooked food might attract pests or contaminate the goods, potentially disrupting the order and cleanliness vital for market commerce. While this rule may not be widely documented in formal legal texts, it reportedly served as a civic order custom in some market areas, reflecting the community's efforts to balance animal presence with public health and commerce. The exact origins and enforcement of this rule remain somewhat unclear, and it might be more accurately described as traditional advice or a local behavioral norm rather than an official codified law. Nonetheless, it illustrates how food, markets, animals, and civic order intersected in Azerbaijani market culture, highlighting an intriguing facet of everyday life that blends respect for animals with public safety concerns.
Source / verification note
Based on local lore and anecdotal reports related to market customs in Azerbaijan; no formal legal confirmation found.