In Massachusetts, you can file a complaint with the hearing authority that a dog owned or kept in a city or town is a dangerous dog or is a nuisance (G.L. c 140 § 157). The city or town’s hearing authority will investigate the complaint and take an examination under oath of the person complaining […]
Can I find out information about a dog after a dog attack?
By Nathan on October 7, 2015You can find information about a dog and its owner after a dog attack. Massachusetts law requires that a dog be licensed, tagged, and that the city or town clerk make a record of the owner and the name, registered number, and description of the dog. These records are open for public inspection. So, if […]
What will happen if a Massachusetts city or town finds a dog dangerous?
By Nathan on October 7, 2015If, after a hearing, a city or town finds that a dog is dangerous, it will order one or more of the following: That the dog be restrained; That the dog be confined to the premises of the keeper of the dog; That when removed from the premises, the owner muzzle the dog and restrain […]
Is a Massachusetts dog license valid throughout the state?
By Nathan on October 7, 2015A Massachusetts dog license is valid throughout the state. However, if the dog is permanently moved to another city or town in Massachusetts, the owner or keeper must deliver the original license and tag to the town clerk within 30 days of the move. The clerk will then deliver a transfer license and tag to […]
Can a dog owner get a license for their dog if it was not vaccinated for rabies in Massachusetts?
By Nathan on October 7, 2015A city or town clerk is not allowed to grant a license for any dog unless the dog owner provides a veterinarian’s certificate that the dog was vaccinated for rabies. (G.L. c. 140, s. 137) The veterinarian’s certificate must include the owner’s name, description of the animal, date of vaccination, rabies vaccination tag number, and […]