CoPALS's · Guide to Laws Regulating:
As the owner/Guardian of a dog in Massachusetts you should
be familiar with state and municipal laws that regulate dog
ownership. This summary will introduce you to several of
these important laws.
1) Cruel conduct: Like all 5O states, MA has an anti-cruelty
statute (M.G.L. Chapter 272, Section 77) that makes it a
felony to treat an animal cruelly. Violators may go to prison
for up to 5 years or pay a substantial fine.
2) Dog Fighting: As in all states, dog fighting is made illegal.
(M.G.L. c. 272.) In Massachusetts it is also a felony to attend
a dog-fight or to possess a fighting dog.
3) Dog Bites: Massachusetts has one of the most stringent
dog bite laws (M.G.L. c. 140 Section 155) protecting dog bite
victims. Under this law a dog owner or "keeper" (one taking
care of a dog) is liable to the person injured for damages,
unless that person trespassed, or tormented or teased the dog.
4) Dog Lemon Law: If you purchase a puppy that is sick from
a pet shop or other seller, you may have rights under
Massachusetts' regulation of such sellers (33 CMR 12.05). But
you must act quickly (before 14 days from sale), obtain a
letter from your veterinarian confirming that the dog is
diseased, and with proof of sale, promptly request a full
refund of the purchase price from the seller. Remember, if you
purchase a dog from a pet shop, to obtain your dog's health
record indicating dates and types of vaccines administered.
5) Licensing: If you own a dog over 6 months old, you are
required to have your dog licensed with your local
municipality. (M.G.L. c. 140 Section 137.) To obtain a license
you must present evidence that your dog has been vaccinated.
Your veterinarian will provide you with a tag evidencing such
vaccination and your dog must wear this tag on his or her
collar. If there is a change of ownership of your dog, the new
owner must notify the municipality in writing of this change.
There is a licensing fee charged the owner, which is greater
for a female dog that has not been spayed.
6) Local Regulations: Check your local town or city's
ordinances or bylaws for additional regulation of dogs. For
example, the Town of Andover's bylaws applicable to dogs
(Article XII, Section 11): require that: a) licensed dogs wear in
addition to a rabies tag an identification tag issued by the
Town Clerk's office; b) dogs off the owner's premises must be
restrained and firmly on a leash no longer than 6'; c)
unrestrained dogs may be impounded by the animal control
officer and, after notice, if not reclaimed by the owner may be
given to others or humanely euthanized ; d) female dogs in
heat must be confined in a building; e) owners must make
sure their dog is not a public nuisance such as frequent and
continued barking heard by neighbors, chasing vehicles,
trespassing on private property so as to cause damage, and
such; f) rabies vaccination must be given within 2 years of
application for dog license and g) owners must remove and
dispose of dog waste on town or private property.
* IMPORTANT Disclaimer:
While CoPAL offers this information as a general guide, the laws of
Massachusetts change over time and you use this summary at your own
risk.
As the owner/Guardian of a dog in Massachusetts you should
be familiar with state and municipal laws that regulate dog
ownership. This summary will introduce you to several of
these important laws.
1) Cruel conduct: Like all 5O states, MA has an anti-cruelty
statute (M.G.L. Chapter 272, Section 77) that makes it a
felony to treat an animal cruelly. Violators may go to prison
for up to 5 years or pay a substantial fine.
2) Dog Fighting: As in all states, dog fighting is made illegal.
(M.G.L. c. 272.) In Massachusetts it is also a felony to attend
a dog-fight or to possess a fighting dog.
3) Dog Bites: Massachusetts has one of the most stringent
dog bite laws (M.G.L. c. 140 Section 155) protecting dog bite
victims. Under this law a dog owner or "keeper" (one taking
care of a dog) is liable to the person injured for damages,
unless that person trespassed, or tormented or teased the dog.
4) Dog Lemon Law: If you purchase a puppy that is sick from
a pet shop or other seller, you may have rights under
Massachusetts' regulation of such sellers (33 CMR 12.05). But
you must act quickly (before 14 days from sale), obtain a
letter from your veterinarian confirming that the dog is
diseased, and with proof of sale, promptly request a full
refund of the purchase price from the seller. Remember, if you
purchase a dog from a pet shop, to obtain your dog's health
record indicating dates and types of vaccines administered.
5) Licensing: If you own a dog over 6 months old, you are
required to have your dog licensed with your local
municipality. (M.G.L. c. 140 Section 137.) To obtain a license
you must present evidence that your dog has been vaccinated.
Your veterinarian will provide you with a tag evidencing such
vaccination and your dog must wear this tag on his or her
collar. If there is a change of ownership of your dog, the new
owner must notify the municipality in writing of this change.
There is a licensing fee charged the owner, which is greater
for a female dog that has not been spayed.
6) Local Regulations: Check your local town or city's
ordinances or bylaws for additional regulation of dogs. For
example, the Town of Andover's bylaws applicable to dogs
(Article XII, Section 11): require that: a) licensed dogs wear in
addition to a rabies tag an identification tag issued by the
Town Clerk's office; b) dogs off the owner's premises must be
restrained and firmly on a leash no longer than 6'; c)
unrestrained dogs may be impounded by the animal control
officer and, after notice, if not reclaimed by the owner may be
given to others or humanely euthanized ; d) female dogs in
heat must be confined in a building; e) owners must make
sure their dog is not a public nuisance such as frequent and
continued barking heard by neighbors, chasing vehicles,
trespassing on private property so as to cause damage, and
such; f) rabies vaccination must be given within 2 years of
application for dog license and g) owners must remove and
dispose of dog waste on town or private property.
* IMPORTANT Disclaimer:
While CoPAL offers this information as a general guide, the laws of
Massachusetts change over time and you use this summary at your own
risk.
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| Copyright 2009 - 2010 All Rights Reserved |
Dog Law Guide*
