The legislative assembly in the city of St. Petersburg has approved in the first reading a bill that bans several noises late at night including knocks, moving furniture, loud snoring, and "stomping cats," loud groans or moans, and squeaks. In addition, according to the law, dogs are prohibited from howling at night.

      The new regulations are expected to become amendments to the city law on administrative offenses that currently bans only singing, shouting, whistling and playing musical instruments at night.

      However, it isn't specified yet how violators of the peace are to be punished.

      Members of the Russian Public Chamber – the top consultative body for Human Rights and legislation – said they were puzzled by the initiative and found it rather weird.

      The St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly is already notorious for introducing a controversial law for banning public displays of gay propaganda to protect minors.