According to local lore from medieval Madrid, a regulation existed that forbade feeding pigeons after dark. This law allegedly aimed to curb the growing nuisance of large pigeon flocks gathering and creating noise during the night, disturbing residents in densely populated quarters. The ordinance reflects the city's early attempts at urban animal control, highlighting how communities coped with animals becoming part of the urban fabric. While written evidence of this exact rule is scarce and mostly anecdotal, it has been passed down through generations as an unusual example of historical animal regulation. The measure—if it truly existed—illustrates a blend of public concern for peace and the struggles of pre-modern urban living. Although today such a law would seem odd and hard to enforce, it serves as a fascinating snapshot of how animal-related rules have evolved across different cultures and periods. Researchers advise taking this account as local lore since official documentation is limited and may be inconsistent.
Source / verification note
Local historical anecdotes and folklore literature from Madrid; no definitive archival proof found.