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Mass. General Laws c.140 §§ 136A-174H

Laws pertaining to dogs and cats

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G. L. c. 140 §§ 136A-174H.

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§ 136A Definitions 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 213, §§ 1-2, effective December 19, 2024

§ 137 Registration and licensing of dogs 
§ 137A Kennel licenses 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 213, §§ 3-4, effective December 19, 2024

§ 137B Sale or other delivery of unlicensed dog by kennel licensee 
§ 137C Inspection of kennels; revocation, suspension and reinstatement of license; nuisance 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 213, § 5, effective December 19, 2024

§ 137D Surrender of license or tag for offenses against animals 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 345, § 1, effective April 8, 2025

§ 138 Change of owner or keeper of licensed dog; dog brought into commonwealth 
§ 139 Fees; certificate or statement that dog has been spayed; service dogs defined by Americans with Disabilities Act; dogs owned by persons aged 70 or over; refunds 
§ 139A Shelters; sale or gift of dog or cat not spayed or neutered 
§ 141 Violation of statutes 
§ 141A Application of law; exception 
§ 141B Application of law; licensed pet shops exempted 
§ 141C Selling or transferring for permanent physical placement a dog or cat that is less than 8 weeks of age is prohibited 

Added by St. 2024, c. 346, § 1, effective April 8, 2025

§ 141D Selling or transferring for permanent physical placement a dog or cat on roadsides, public spaces, parking lots, and outdoor markets is prohibited; penalties 

Added by St. 2024, c. 346, § 1, effective April 8, 2025

§ 145 Symptoms of rabies printed on license; description supplied by department of public health 
§ 145A Anti-rabic vaccine and treatment; rates of compensation 
§ 145B Vaccination against rabies; certificate; tag; proof of vaccination; exemption; penalty 
§ 146 License valid throughout state; removal of dog into another town or city 
§ 147 Issuance of licenses; disposition of fees; action on official bond 
§ 149 Accounts of treasurers 
§ 150 Lists of dogs; refusal to answer person listing dogs; false answers 
§ 151 Animal control officers; reimbursement of cities and towns for services; contracts with corporation to perform duties of officers; turning over or sale of animals; penalty 
§ 151A Issuance of warrant to officers; duties; confinement of dogs; allowance for care; records 
§ 151B Emergency treatment of dogs or cats injured on ways; payment to veterinarians 
§ 151C Animal control officer training course 
§ 152 Returns by officers 
§ 153 Form of warrant to officers 
§ 155 Liability for damage caused by dog; minors; presumption and burden of proof 
§ 155A Indemnification of law enforcement officers; damages caused by dogs used in performance of official duties 
§ 156 Killing dogs under certain conditions; wounded dogs 
§ 157 Nuisance or dangerous dogs; orders for remedial action; appeal; violation of order 
§ 157A Non-compliance of dog owner or keeper with order; transferring ownership or selling of dangerous dog 
§ 158 Euthanizing unrestrained dogs or dogs in wild state 
§ 159 Treble damages for injuries caused by dogs ordered to be restrained 
§ 160 Euthanizing dogs that have worried or killed stock or fowl; bond 
§ 161 Damages caused by dogs and paid by city or town; compensation for appraisers 
§ 161A Damages caused by dogs not reimbursable; amount of awards 
§ 163 Notice to euthanize dog which has caused damage 
§ 164 Failure to euthanize, confine or restrain dog after notice 
§ 165 Investigation of damages caused by dogs; settlement; action against owner or keeper; payments over to city or town treasurer 
§ 166 Election of remedy by person damaged 
§ 167 Ordering dogs to be restrained; euthanizing unrestrained dogs 
§ 168 Service of order to muzzle or restrain dogs; penalty 
§ 169 Penalty on officer; report of refusal or neglect of officer to perform duties 
§ 171 Liability to city or town of owner or keeper of dog 
§ 173 Ordinances and by-laws relating to animals 
§ 173A Violation of dog control laws; non-criminal disposition 
§ 174 Recovery of penalties 
§ 174A Euthanizing of dogs or cats by barbiturates 
§ 174B Restraint of dogs in public highway rest areas; penalty 
§ 174D Research institutions; license to use dogs or cats; rules and regulations 
§ 174D 1/2 Reasonable effort to facilitate adoption of dogs and cats upon conclusion of study; assessment of suitability; duty of care and liability 

Added by St.2022, c. 149, effective November 2, 2022

§ 174E Chaining or tethering dog; confinement; restrictions; penalty 
§ 174F Confinement of animal in a motor vehicle causing exposure to extreme heat or cold; protection of animal by animal control or law enforcement officer or fire fighter; penalties 
§ 174G Rules and regulations for commercial boarding or training kennels; investigations; inspections 

Added by St. 2024, c. 213, § 6, effective December 19, 2024

§ 174H Feline declawing prohibited with exception to therapeutic purposes 

Added by St. 2024, c. 345, § 2, effective April 8, 2025

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