MSPCA-Angell Headquarters

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-7400
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Angell Animal Medical Centers – Boston

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-7282
angellquestions@angell.org
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293 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 902-8400
For on-site assistance (check-ins and pick-ups):
(339) 970-0790
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Angell at Essex

565 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 304-4648
essex@angell.org
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Animal Care and Adoption Centers – Boston

350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-5055
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Animal Care and Adoption Centers – Cape Cod

1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02632
(508) 775-0940
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Animal Care and Adoption Centers – Nevins Farm

400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 687-7453
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Animal Care and Adoption Centers – Northeast Animal Shelter

347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970
(978) 745-9888
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2012 – Animal Control

S. 2192, An Act Further Regulating Municipal Animal Control363C0080

Signed by the Governor on August 2, 2012. The law took effect 90 days after it was signed, Oct. 31, 2012.

The law:

The law also created some statewide oversight for animal control, which previously did not exist in Massachusetts; created categories for kennel licensing; created consistency in the holding time for stray dogs; and provided other meaningful updates to the state’s antiquated animal control laws. A House amendment added some restrictions on the tethering of dogs (Ch 140 sec. 174E).

Why were these changes needed?
Many of the laws that govern animal control date back to the 1800s. Quite simply, the laws did not address the current state of animal control in our municipalities, which are no longer based on the county system. The fines were outdated, as was the term “dog officer”; “animal control officer” more accurately describes the role fulfilled. These changes were made to Chapter 140, sections 136A through 174D to update and make the animal control laws more efficient, current, and effective. They 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 law is the result of stakeholder meetings since 2005 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) worked together to draft these changes.

Co-sponsors:

Rep. Coakley-Rivera
Rep. Benson
Rep. Atkins
Sen. Brownsberger
Rep. Andrews
Rep. Ashe
Rep. Ayers
Rep. Balser
Rep. Brady
Rep. Toomey
Rep. Hecht
Rep. Cabral
Rep. Canavan
Sen. DiDomenico
Rep. Dwyer
Sen. Eldridge
Rep. Fresolo
Rep. Garballey
Rep. Gobi
Rep. Harrington
Rep. Sullivan
Sen. Hedlund
Rep. Lewis
Rep. Linsky
Sen. Montingy
Rep. Peisch
Sen. Rush
Rep. Sciortino
Rep. Speranzo
Sen. Spilka
Rep. Story

Sponsor:  Senator Jehlen