Bills—yes, those relentless little reminders that money must change hands—are something we all face. Whether it’s income tax, rent, or that monthly phone bill, the world keeps spinning on cash. In this top 10 crazy roundup we explore the most out‑there justifications people have offered for refusing to pay what they owe.
Top 10 Crazy Reasons Unpacked
10 Dog Watched Porn, Not Me
The adult entertainment industry now pulls in billions, and even after piracy cut into profits, pay‑per‑view channels still rake in cash. One particularly odd case involved Thomas Barnes, a 58‑year‑old on Social Security disability, who was hit with a $70 charge for an adult channel on his satellite service.
Barnes called the provider, insisting the charge wasn’t his doing. He claimed his tiny bichon frise, Marino, leapt onto the remote and inadvertently ordered the Hustler channel. He said he reported the incident within minutes of the explicit content flashing on his screen.
His complaint didn’t resolve with a simple phone call. After escalating the issue to the Federal Communications Commission, the satellite company finally applied a credit to his account, vindicating his canine‑caused‑misdeed story.
9 I Am Not A Person
Income tax is a universal obligation that funds public services. In Australia, the federal income tax system dates back to 1915, and most citizens dutifully file returns each year.
Glen James Polglaise of North Bendigo, however, chose a dramatically different route. From 2012 to 2017 he simply refused to lodge any tax returns, insisting he wasn’t a person and therefore not a taxpayer.
Polglaise argued that by waiving his “right to recognition as a person,” he was exempt from residency rules and tax law, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The magistrate dismissed his argument, fined him $6,000 plus costs, and affirmed that no one can cherry‑pick which laws apply to them.
8 Cake Was Half Eaten When I Found It
Saving a few dollars is a hobby for many, whether through coupons, loyalty programs, or bargain hunting. In mid‑2019 a woman in Wichita Falls, Texas, took the “creative” route a step too far.
She walked out of Walmart with a half‑eaten cake, insisting the missing portion was already gone when she placed it in her cart. The store manager called police, and officers convinced her to pay the full price. As a result, she was barred from ever returning to that Walmart.
7 Construction
Dale Arnold of Burnaby, British Columbia, loved his apartment’s view—until a massive construction project sprang up next door. The constant jackhammering, dust, elevator outages, and loss of green space pushed him over the edge.
Arnold stopped paying rent, claiming the new building was cannibalising his living environment. The landlord attempted to placate him with cupcakes and a barbecue, but to no avail. After filing a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch, Arnold lost his case, and a city spokesperson confirmed that the investigations had already been completed.
6 Goose Poop
Money can’t buy happiness, especially when Canada geese turn your lawn into a latrine. Billionaire Tom Golisano, former owner of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, refused to pay $90,000 in taxes, claiming the geese’s droppings made his property unusable.
He described the scene as “100 to 200 geese” covering his lawn, preventing barefoot walks, Frisbee games, and grand‑child play. Town officials dismissed his grievance, noting the geese were on private property and it was the homeowner’s responsibility to manage them. Undeterred, Golisano threatened a class‑action lawsuit while continuing his tax protest.
5 I Could Have Been With A Psychopath
Traffic tickets are a routine nuisance, but Amy Rush of Minnesota turned hers into a lifelong saga. As a 15‑year‑old runaway hitchhiking in Iowa, she was pulled over and ticketed for not wearing a seat belt while riding with an older driver.
Rush argued the officer never asked for identification or inquired about her age, leaving the possibility that she was traveling with a “deranged psychopath.” She has ignored the $35 ticket for over a decade, citing the officer’s lack of concern. Collection letters keep arriving, and she quips she can’t imagine the postage costs the state incurs chasing her.
4 Buried Father Who Was Not Dead
Joey Pellegrino of Connecticut withdrew $2,175 from his bank, only to discover a glitch that left the amount un‑deducted from his balance. Instead of reporting the error, he kept pulling cash until his account was overdrawn.
When the bank demanded repayment, Pellegrino claimed he’d handed the money to his mother to bury his father. The twist? His father was still alive, and even the father himself said he’d given his son the cash to settle the debt. After a dramatic back‑and‑forth, Pellegrino finally confessed.
3 Name In Capital Letters
In the UK, council tax is mandatory for anyone over 18 who rents or owns a home. Adrian May of Mansfield, however, refused to pay, insisting the all‑caps lettering on the tax notice meant the government considered him dead.
May’s protest lasted three years before a court ordered him to pay, after officials demonstrated that his name appeared in normal case on all subsequent correspondence. The case underscores how a simple formatting quirk can spark a prolonged legal battle.
2 God
Delila Hernandez of New Mexico tried to settle a restaurant bill by declaring, “This one’s on God,” and then walking away. The server protested, but Hernandez threatened him, forcing the staff to back down.
Police later charged her with felony robbery. After showing remorse, prosecutors indicated the charge would likely be reduced to a petty misdemeanor, reflecting the unusual nature of her “divine” defense.
1 You Didn’t Let Me On Your Show
In Ireland, the state‑run broadcaster RTÉ funds itself partly through a TV licence fee. Richard Behal of Killarney ignored the fee for 21 years, ultimately serving 15 days in jail.
Behal’s grievance stemmed from being excluded from a 1984 election‑night interview show, where he was a Sinn Fein candidate—an organization linked to the IRA. Because the law banned groups seeking to overthrow the state from broadcast, RTÉ left him off the program, prompting his long‑term protest and eventual incarceration.