Animal Control Bill

An Act Further Regulating Municipal Animal Control 
S. 2192 (was S. 2184 and S. 1033)

Status:  passed the Senate on March 22, 2012; currently in House Ways and Means.

Read a blurb from the State House News Service and read the Senate Session summary.  Read Senator Jehlen's press release.

Sponsor:  Senator Jehlen  See a report on WCVB about this bill and improving animal control (4/28/11)

Co-sponsors:

 Are you a shelter or rescue? Sign up your organization as a supporter of this bill.

Summary of the bill:

• Create a statewide spay/neuter program to reduce the number of homeless animals in the Commonwealth and would, in turn, also reduce the cost to cities and towns for housing and sheltering these animals. This would be funded by a voluntary tax check off.
• Add enforcement provisions to section 139A (the spay/neuter deposit law for animals adopted from shelters and animal control facilities) to ensure these animals can’t reproduce.
• Require animal control officers to receive training.  People are often surprised to learn that their local animal control officer is not required to receive training for the complicated work they do to keep the people and animals in their community safe. This would be funded by the tax check off.
• Prohibit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas as a means to "euthanize" dogs and cats.
• Reduce dog bites by improving the dangerous dog law (while preventing ineffective breed-specific ordinances).
• A Senate amendment would allow pets to be included in domestic violence protection orders to protect both animals and people.

The bill would also create some statewide oversight for animal control, which currently does not exist in Massachusetts; create categories for kennel licensing; create consistency in the holding time for stray dogs and provide other meaningful updates to the state's antiquated animal control laws.

This bill would not cost money, it will actually minimize costs to municipalities by reducing the number of homeless animals and the associated cost to house and take care of them.  In addition, ensuring that animal control officers are trained and improving the dangerous dog law to protect public safety would provide indirect cost savings. 

Why are these changes needed?
Many of the laws that govern animal control date back to the 1800s.  Quite simply, the laws do not address the current state of animal control in our municipalities, which are no longer based on the county system.   The fines and fees are outdated, as is the term “dog officer”; “animal control officer” more accurately describes the role fulfilled.  These proposed changes are made to Chapter 140, sections 136A through 174D to update and make the animal control laws more efficient, current and effective.  They will also save cities and towns money. At the beginning of every legislative session, many bills are filed to address a section or issue relating to animal control.  For years, organizations, individuals, and legislators have been seeking a more comprehensive revision; this bill is the result of stakeholder meetings to rework the sections in Chapter 140 relating to animals. 
 

The Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM), the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the state’s Bureau of Animal Health within the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) have worked together to draft these changes. 

Sponsor:  Senator Jehlen

• Sign up your organization as a supporter of this bill
• Find out more about members at www.mass.gov/legis
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  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/
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