Alan Abel was driving down a Texas highway when traffic came to a sudden stop. As it turned out, a herd of cattle was crossing the road. How annoying! Then – shock of all shocks – a cow and a bull started mating, right there, in the middle of the road, IN FRONT OF GOD AND EVERYBODY.

Some motorists giggled. Some averted their eyes. Some were shocked. 

Alan couldn’t believe what was happening. Didn’t those animals have any decency? Didn’t they have any common sense? Someone needed to create some rules! The way Alan saw it, the world would be a much better place if we started putting clothing on animals.

“Society for indecency to naked animals,” NPR.org

“Alan Abel, history’s greatest hoaxer,” by Jake Rossen for Mental Floss

“The fine art of hoaxing,” by Dave Von Drehle for The Arizona Republic

The documentary, “Abel Raises Cain”

“College may ban animal nudity,” by Andrew T. Weil for The Harvard Crimson

“The campaign to make ‘indecent’ animals wear clothing,” by Zachary Crockett for Priceonomics.com

“Underwear for Horses? A hoax, cemented in print,” The New York Times

The album, “Inside SINA”

“10 questions for the best prankster ever,” by Nicole Tourtelot for Esquire

“The more you weigh, the more you pay,” by Joshua Foer for Esquire