4. Dog Days

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As the fifth shogun of Japan during the 17th Century, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was a deeply religious man and a take-no-prisoners kind of guy when it came to running his country. He also had a special affection for dogs, and issued numerous edicts that elevated canines on the island nation to near-royal status. The people were instructed to avoid injuring, killing or even ignoring a dog, and severe penalties were often handed down to those who dared to violate his edicts. In one month 300 people were executed for violating these edicts. Eventually, the city became unbearably overrun with dogs which prompted Tsunayoshi to construct special kennels outside the city where the dogs were housed and cared for at taxpayer expense.