Yeah, but that doesn't mean they aren't there anyway.
That sounds a lot like, "but officer, everybody drives over the speed limit on this road".
Break the law/rule, and an excuse like that isn't likely going to prevent you from suffering the consequences.
No one said utility pole hides were legal, or that certain excuses would prevent them from suffering the consequences. The OP was stumped on them and we offered some solutions.
as far as that being illegal when was the last time you saw someone ticketed or anything attaching a lost dog sign or something to that effect and not getting in trouble. i come from a law enforcement community and i can say this much if an officer talks to you about that and tickets you then he really had nothing else better to do. my advice play ignorance if anyone says something to you about it then when the areas clear discreetly put it back (isn't that what ur supposed to do in the first place?)