Counting Down History’s Most Ridiculous War Triggers – Crazier Than Modern Jokes

The Catapult Cow Incident

In 1152, during a siege in Spain, defenders launched diseased cows over their city walls via catapult to infect the enemy. The attacking side took it as a war crime — not because of the disease, but because one of the cows was a sacred breed.

The besiegers broke the rules of war, not over strategy, but bovine disrespect. The incident escalated hostilities, and both sides suffered from plague outbreaks. The ultimate lesson: never underestimate the diplomatic consequences of airborne livestock.

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