Is the intentional discarding of a valuable engagement ring onto the ground in a public place littering?

Litter is officially defined as: objects strewn or scattered about.

It has nothing to do with the value of the item. If it’s discarded, it’s litter.

^^ Agreed. I just don’t think anyone would complain if someone threw something valuable. Ugh! There’s diamonds everywhere! Disgusting!

I would complain if there was diamonds everywhere because my luck is bad.

I do think as long as you disrespect the earth with any object it is classified as littering, but @Tacitumu is right, whose gonna complain about the valuables?

Technically, but then the question arises – would you report the incident or pick up the ring? I would pick up the ring and shut up about the littering – even if I was the groundskeeper!

Littering has nothing to do with the value of the item dropped (or tossed).

@Taciturnu Someone might complain if it was his ring that was tossed on the ground after the girl turned him down…perfect payback, right? Call the cops on your ex after she turns you down and throws your ring on the ground in public!

If someone is willing to clean up first then their has been no offense. No litter no ticket

All of your examples are littering. Litter need not be worthless trash.

To really put this law into perspective, how about this: would the discarding of uneaten food on the ground, be considered littering?

@john65pennington If it were plant material, I would say absolutely not, because it will turn into compost. Any other food items would be questionable.

I would have to say yes it is still litter because agreeing that the food material can/may become compost, there is the time in the middle, yeah, the near rotted time =\ where my chocolate lab usually gets it and then gets sick…one time she almost died cost me 5700$ and a week in doggy ICU, because what she ate did not agree with her. Compostable products are much better off in one of those large black bins where animals can’t get at them and the bigger end result actually serves a greater purpose. IMO. :)

According to this, “Litter is trash improperly placed so as to be a nuisance or health concern.”

I would say that neither an engagement ring nor a $100 bill would reasonably be considered a nuisance.

They could be health hazards if they were coated with Type A Strep, e.g., but otherwise they usually aren’t.

At least if I find a bunch of $100 bills and/or rings on my lawn, I’m not gonna grumble about it and put them in my recycling receptacle.

I think trash is usually something that most people no longer have any use for, such as a worn out tire, used disposable utensils, etc.

In that regard, I’d say most people could still find plenty of use for a Benjamin or value in an engagement ring.

@Meego Like I said, only plant material…no other food items. Processed food like chocolate constitutes other items. chocolate can be poisonous to many animals.

@ladymia69 Plant material you mean fruits or veggies?

For dogs there is a list of those they cannot eat..thanks to my vet I know it off by heart…

Avocados: The fruit, pit and plant are all toxic. They can cause difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart.

Broccoli: reported to be pretty potent gastrointestinal irritant.

Cherry: rapid breathing, shock, mouth inflammation, heart rate increase.

I once wrestled a vine of grapes in a park from my dog..seriously :/

Then my vet said this.

Grapes, Raisins, Prunes: kidney failure, as little as a single serving of grapes or raisins can kill a dog. It takes anywhere from 9 oz to 2 lbs of grapes and raisins (between .041 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight), to cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, and possible kidney failure.

I thought dogs just weren’t supposed to eat raisins!