In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 140, Section 151, the mayor of each city and the board of selectmen of each town shall annually designate an animal control officer (“ACO”), who may be a police officer or constable. The mayor or board of selectmen shall immediately submit to the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“Department”) the names, addresses and dates of hire of such animal control officer(s).
The Department is required under MGL Chapter 140, section 151A to inspect the facilities that municipalities use to hold stray dogs and other animals that come into the possession of the ACO. Municipal animal holding locations must be reported to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources