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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