By Mr. Welch of West Springfield, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 896) of James T. Welch relative to the sighting and reporting of dangerous animals in the Commonwealth.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

James T. Welch

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to the sighting and reporting of dangerous animals in the Commonwealth.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter 21A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 22.  The department shall establish and maintain a toll free hotline for the reporting of the sightings of mountain lions, coyotes, bears, foxes and such other dangerous animals.

The department shall make public such reports to officials in the cities and towns where such sightings take place and in cities and towns within a 20 mile radius thereof within 24 hours of the reporting of such sightings.

The department shall make the reports available to the public via the department’s website.