I link to Gary Slapper's weird cases but this one deserves a post of its own:
"Facing a criminal charge in Brisbane District Court, Australia, in 2006, Katsuhide Naito, a Japanese man, also gave an unusual excuse. He told the court that his otherwise criminal conduct should be seen sympathetically in the context that he committed the offence only in order “to acquire a champion Australian cattle dog”.
Naito had contravened laws about bringing living matter into Australia. He had aimed to swap his organic contraband for the cattle dog. He might have been treated leniently had he tried to smuggle a ladybird or four-leaf clover. But the authorities who searched his bag were not impressed to find 39 live snakes, lizards and turtles.
The Brisbane judge declared that the wrongdoing was very serious. He ruled that the proper court order was one for euthanasia and stuffing. Mr Naito might well have fainted with shock at that point but the judge explained it was the reptiles that should be given the treatment and then donated them to the Queensland Museum. Naito himself was spared and given a three-month prison sentence."
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