Section 174E: Chaining or tethering dog; confinement; restrictions; penalty Section 174E. Responsible dog owners should follow leash laws: The law requires that you have your dog on a leash when you're off your property. Massachusetts's Dog Bite Statute. I say generally because each case turns on the facts. Under Massachusetts law, a dog is considered property. Dog Bite Laws. Massachusetts law enforcement takes action against illegal dog leasing Crime Finance companies to cancel $126,000 owed by consumers on dog leases; will transfer full ownership of dozens of dogs … So, as awful as it sounds, think of the sale as you would the sale of something like a car or a boat. ''Adoption'', the delivery of a cat or dog to a person 18 years of age or older for the purpose of taking care of the dog or cat as a pet. ''Animal control officer'', an appointed officer authorized to enforce sections 136A to 174F, inclusive. Massachusetts law requires health care providers to report any dog, cat, ferret or livestock bites that injure a person to the city or town’s animal inspector. No shelter shall sell or give away any dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered, unless a written agreement is entered into and a deposit of not less than $40 for spaying or neutering such dog or cat has been tendered to the shelter. The specifics of dog bite laws vary from state to state; however, they typically fall into two categories: one-bite and strict liability. Massachusetts may employ similar provisions within other non-animal-specific criminal and civil statutes; may have other more specific statutes in addition to those included; and may have a variety of animal-related regulations in effect. Section 157: Nuisance or dangerous dogs; orders for remedial action; appeal; violation of order Section 157. It appears in Chapter 140, Section 155 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Your dog must be under control when they're not in your house or fenced in by a yard. ''Attack'', aggressive physical contact initiated by an animal. (a) No person owning or keeping a dog shall chain or tether a dog for longer than 5 hours in a 24–hour period and outside from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes and the dog is not left unattended by the owner, guardian or keeper. Our “Law about Animals” webpage has laws and cases related to animal law in Massachusetts, as well as a reference to an article concerning pets and divorce, from Massachusetts Family Law Journal v.30. Generally speaking, a seller cannot take back property once it is sold. The difference between the two dog laws is a dog owner is not liable for injury caused by their dog under the one-bite rule unless they have reason to believe their dog could cause such injury. Don't let your dog roam the neighborhood, get into trash, or bother the public in any way. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has proposed new regulations for the operation of animal shelters and animal … Section 155: Liability for damage caused by dog; minors; presumption and burden of proof Section 155. This will initiate the 10-day mandatory quarantine. Section 139A: Shelters; sale or gift of dog or cat not spayed or neutered Section 139A. Massachusetts has a specific written law, or statute, that covers dog bite injuries. 6. Because the law is continually evolving, always review an official source for the most current language of any LEASH LAWS. no.3 (2012), p. 29-39: “Woof, woof, we’re getting a divorce”: pet custody and the law.