MA - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes | Animal Legal & Historical Center

Primary Citation: M.G.L.A. 272 § 77 - 95; M.G.L.A. 22C § 57; M.G.L.A. 272 § 34 Country of Origin: United States Last Checked: November, 2023 Alternate Citation: MA ST 272 § 77 - 95; MA ST 272 § 34; MA ST 22C § 57 Historical:

Summary: These Massachusetts laws contain the state's anti-cruelty provisions. Sec. 77 is the operative anti-cruelty statute and provides that whoever overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly beats, mutilates or kills an animal, and whoever uses in a cruel or inhuman manner in a race, game, or contest, or in training, as lure or bait a live animal (except as bait in fishing), or knowingly and willfully authorizes or permits it to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years or imprisonment for not more than 2 1/2 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Other laws prohibit the dyeing of baby chicks, the docking of horse tails, and animal fighting, among other provisions. In 2010, the state made non-medically necessary devocalization of dogs or cats illegal.

Cruelty and Exhibition Provisions (e.g., docking and cropping, animal prizes, etc.)

§ 77 . Cruelty to animals; prohibition from work involving contact with animals

§ 77A . Willfully injuring police dogs and horses

§ 77B . Exhibition of wild animals

§ 77C. Sexual contact with animal

§ 78 . Selling, leading, or using horses not fit for work; forfeiture of auctioneer's license

§ 78A . Sale of foals under five months; penalty

§ 79 . Violations by business entities of statutes relating to the treatment, care and protection of animals

§ 79A . Cutting bones or muscles to dock or set tail of horse; wound as evidence

§ 79B . Exhibiting horse with tail cut under section 79A; affidavit as to cutting in state where not prohibited; inspection

§ 80 . Repealed, 1934, 234, Sec. 1

§ 80 1/2 . Devocalization of dogs or cats; definitions; penalty; exceptions; records

§ 80A . Cropping or cutting off ear of dog; wound as prima facie evidence

§ 80B . Exhibiting dogs with ears cropped or cut off

§ 80C . Taking cat, dog or bird to exhibit it, subject it to experimentation or mutilation, or to sell it for such purposes; application of law

§ 80D . Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

§ 80E . Use of decompression chambers for putting animals to death

§ 80E ½ . Putting animal to death by drowning

§ 80F . Giving away live animals as prize or award

§ 80G . Experiments on vertebrates; vivisection, dissection of animals; care

Motorist Killing Cat or Dog and Transportation Provisions

§ 80H . Motor vehicles; striking, injuring or killing dogs or cats

§ 80 I . Leasing or renting dogs; penalties

§ 81 . Rest, water and feed for transported animals; lien; liability for detention

Arrest and Seizure Provisions

§ 82 . Arrest without warrant for violation of section 77 or 81; notice; care of animals; lien

§ 83 . Complaint, warrant and search relative to cruelty to animals

§ 84 . Prosecutions under sections 77 to 81

§ 85 . Repealed, 1951, 34, Sec. 2

Injuring or Taking of Domestic Animals

§ 85A . Injuring, taking away or harboring domesticated animals or birds; removal of dog license tag, collar or harness; imitation tag

§ 85B . Assistance animals stolen or attacked; actions for economic and non-economic damages

Stabling of Horses Provisions

§ 86 . Stabling horses or mules on second or higher floors, in places other than cities

§ 86A . Stabling horses and mules above first floor; exceeding six; fire exits

§ 86B . Stabling horses or mules exceeding fifteen

§ 86C . Smoking in buildings used for stabling horses or mules

§ 86D . Pails of water and sand in buildings used for stables

§ 86E . Entry upon premises to enforce Secs. 86A to 86D; orders

§ 86F . Violation of Secs. 86 to 86D; refusal or neglect to comply with Sec. 86E orders

Shooting of Birds for Amusement

§ 87 . Keeping or using birds to be shot at; shooting them; permitting premises to be used for shooting

Animal Fighting Provisions (see also Sec. 77, generally)

§ 88 . Complaints and warrants relative to fighting animals; searches; arrests

§ 89 . Exhibition place of fighting animals; entry without warrant; arrests; seizure of animals

§ 90 . Custody of arrested persons; time limitation

§ 91 . Forfeiture of animal or property used or employed in violation of Sec. 94; application; notice; hearing; adjudication; assessment of forfeited animal for suitability for adoption; transfer or other disposition of animal

§ 92 . Appeal; recognizance; custody and disposition of animals

§ 92A . Advertisement, book, notice or sign relative to discrimination; definition of place of public accommodation, resort or amusement

§ 93 . Expenses of care and destruction of fighting animals

§ 94 . Owning, possessing or training fighting animals; establishing or promoting exhibition

§ 95 . Aiding or being present at exhibition of fighting animals

Humane Officer Provision

§ 57. Agents of humane societies and associations; appointment as special officers

Bestiality Provision

§ 34 . Crime against nature

Part IV. Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases (Ch. 263-280). Title I. Crimes and Punishments (Ch. 263-274). Chapter 272. Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency and Good Order.

§ 77. Cruelty to animals; prohibition from work involving contact with animals

Whoever overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly beats, mutilates or kills an animal, or causes or procures an animal to be overdriven, overloaded, driven when overloaded, overworked, tortured, tormented, deprived of necessary sustenance, cruelly beaten, mutilated or killed; and whoever uses in a cruel or inhuman manner in a race, game, or contest, or in training therefor, as lure or bait a live animal, except an animal if used as lure or bait in fishing; and whoever, having the charge or custody of an animal, either as owner or otherwise, inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon it, or unnecessarily fails to provide it with proper food, drink, shelter, sanitary environment, or protection from the weather, and whoever, as owner, possessor, or person having the charge or custody of an animal, cruelly drives or works it when unfit for labor, or willfully abandons it, or carries it or causes it to be carried in or upon a vehicle, or otherwise, in an unnecessarily cruel or inhuman manner or in a way and manner which might endanger the animal carried thereon, or knowingly and willfully authorizes or permits it to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years in state prison or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years or by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by both fine and imprisonment; provided, however, that a second or subsequent offense shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment. Notwithstanding section 26 of chapter 218 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the district courts and the divisions of the Boston municipal court department shall have original jurisdiction, concurrent with the superior court, of a violation of this section.

In addition to any other penalty provided by law, upon conviction for any violation of this section or of sections 77A, 77C, 78, 78A, 79A, 79B, 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D, 80E, 80E ½, 80F, 86, 86A, 86B or 94 the defendant shall forfeit to the custody of any society, incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth for the prevention of cruelty to animals or for the care and protection of homeless or suffering animals, the animal whose treatment was the basis of such conviction.

A person convicted of a crime of cruelty to an animal shall be prohibited from working in any capacity that requires such person to be in contact with an animal, including a commercial boarding or training establishment, shelter, animal control facility, pet shop, grooming facility, commercial breeder service, veterinary hospital or clinic or animal welfare society or other nonprofit organization incorporated for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals.

Credits

Amended by St.1968, c. 59; St.1972, c. 46; St.1977, c. 679; St.1977, c. 921, § 2; St.1984, c. 50; St.1986, c. 337; St.1989, c. 534; St.2004, c. 319, § 4, eff. Nov. 17, 2004; St.2006, c. 434, § 1, eff. April 3, 2007; St.2012, c. 193, § 49, eff. Oct. 31, 2012; St.2014, c. 293, §§ 3, 4, eff. Nov. 18, 2014; St.2018, c. 219, § 22, eff. Nov. 7, 2018.

§ 77A. Willfully injuring police dogs and horses

Whoever willfully tortures, torments, beats, kicks, strikes, mutilates, injures, disables or otherwise mistreats, a dog or horse owned by a police department or police agency of the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or whoever, willfully by any action whatsoever, interferes with the lawful performance of such dog or horse shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years or both. Persons violating this section may be arrested without a warrant by any officer qualified to serve criminal process provided said offense is committed in his presence.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1978, c. 287.

§ 77B. Exhibition of wild animals

No person shall exhibit or sponsor an exhibition of any wild animal for the purpose of attracting trade at or for any place of amusement, recreation or entertainment. This section shall not be deemed to prevent the exhibition of any wild animal in a zoological garden or in connection with any theatrical exhibition or circus or by any educational institution or wild animal farm, whether on or off the premises of such educational institution or wild animal farm. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1986, c. 416. Amended by St.1989, c. 253.

§ 77. Cruelty to animals; prohibition from work involving contact with animals

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Animal”, a living nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish or invertebrate.

“Sexual contact”, (i) any act between a person and an animal that involves contact between the sex organs or anus of one and the mouth, anus or sex organs of the other; (ii) touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs or anus of an animal, either directly or through clothing, without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose; (iii) any transfer or transmission of semen by the person upon any part of the animal; or (iv) the insertion, however slight, of any part of a person's body or any object into the vaginal or anal opening of an animal or the insertion of any part of the animal's body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person.

(b) A person who willingly: (i) engages in sexual contact with an animal or advertises, offers, accepts an offer for, sells, transfers, purchases or otherwise obtains an animal with the intent that the animal be used for sexual contact; (ii) organizes, promotes, conducts or knowingly participates in as an observer an act involving sexual contact with an animal; (iii) causes, aids or abets another person to engage in sexual contact with an animal; (iv) knowingly permits sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any premises under the person's control; (v) induces or otherwise entices a child younger than 18 years of age or a person with a developmental or intellectual disability, as defined in section 1 of chapter 123B, to engage in sexual contact with an animal or engages in sexual contact with an animal in the presence of a child younger than 18 years of age or a person with a developmental or intellectual disability; (vi) forces another person to engage in sexual contact with an animal; or (vii) disseminates photographs, videotapes or other depictions prohibited sexual contact with an animal shall, for a first offense, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years, by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment and, for a second or subsequent offense, by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years, by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(c) Notwithstanding section 26 of chapter 218 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the district courts and the divisions of the Boston municipal court department shall have original jurisdiction, concurrent with the superior court, of a violation of this section.

(d) Upon a conviction for a violation of this section and in addition to any other penalties as may be provided by law, the defendant shall forfeit the animal whose treatment was the basis of the conviction to the custody of an entity incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth for the prevention of cruelty to animals or for the care and protection of homeless or suffering animals.

Upon a conviction for a violation of this section, the defendant shall not: (i) work in any capacity that requires the person to be in contact with an animal, including a commercial boarding or training establishment, shelter, animal control facility, pet shop, grooming facility, commercial breeder service, veterinary hospital or clinic or animal welfare society or other nonprofit organization incorporated for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals; or (ii) harbor, own, possess or exercise control over an animal, reside in a household where any animals are present or engage in an occupation, whether paid or unpaid, or participate in a volunteer position at any establishment where animals are present for any length of time that the court deems reasonable for the protection of all animals; provided, however, that the length of time shall not be less than 5 years after the person's release from custody.

(e) This section shall not apply to lawful and accepted practices that relate to veterinary medicine performed by a licensed veterinarian or a certified veterinary technician under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian, artificial insemination of animals for the purpose of procreation, accepted animal husbandry practices, including raising, breeding or assisting with the birthing process of animals or any other practice that provides care for animals, or conformation judging.

Credits
Added by St.2018, c. 219, § 23, eff. Nov. 7, 2018.

§ 78. Selling, leading, or using horses not fit for work; forfeiture of auctioneer's license

No person holding an auctioneer's license shall receive or offer for sale or sell at public auction, nor shall any person sell at private sale, or lead, ride or drive on any public way, for any purpose except that of conveying the horse to a proper place for its humane keeping or killing, or for medical or surgical treatment, any horse which, by reason of debility, disease or lameness, or for other cause, could not be worked in the commonwealth without violating the laws against cruelty to animals. This section shall not prohibit the purchase of horses by humane societies incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth for the purpose of humanely killing the same. Violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months. If a licensed auctioneer violates this section, he shall also forfeit his license.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2000 Main Volume

St.1906, c. 185.
St.1913, c. 281.

§ 78A. Sale of foals under five months; penalty

No person shall sell, offer for sale or otherwise dispose of any foal under five months of age other than for the purpose of immediate slaughter or humane killing unless such foal is accompanied by its dam. Violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1969, c. 223.

§ 79. Violations by business entities of statutes relating to the treatment, care and protection of animals

A for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, business, professional corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or any other business entity violating section 112 of chapter 266 or section 77, 77A, 77B, 78, 78A, 79A, 80 ½, 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D, 80E, 80E ½, 80F, 80G, 80H, 80I, 81, 85A, 85B, 87, 94 or 95 of this chapter shall be punished by a fine as therein provided, and shall be responsible for the knowledge and acts of its agents and servants relative to animals transported, owned or used by it or in its custody.

Credits

Amended by St.2018, c. 219, § 24, eff. Nov. 7, 2018.

§ 79A. Cutting bones or muscles to dock or set tail of horse; wound as evidence

Whoever cuts the bone of the tail of a horse for the purpose of docking the tail, or whoever causes or knowingly permits the same to be done upon premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or whoever assists in or is present at such cutting, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than three hundred dollars; and whoever cuts the muscles or tendons of the tail of a horse for the purpose of setting up the tail, or whoever causes or knowingly permits the same to be done upon premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or whoever assists in or is present at such cutting, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars. If a horse is found with the bone of its tail cut as aforesaid or with the muscles or tendons of its tail cut as aforesaid, and with the wound resulting from such cutting unhealed, upon the premises or in the charge and custody of any person, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the owner or user of such premises or the person having such charge or custody, respectively.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1934, c. 234, § 1.

§ 79B. Exhibiting horse with tail cut under section 79A; affidavit as to cutting in state where not prohibited; inspection

Whoever shows or exhibits at any horse show or exhibition in the commonwealth a horse with its tail cut in either manner prohibited in section seventy-nine A shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars; provided, that this section shall not apply to the showing or exhibiting at such a show or exhibition of a horse with its tail cut in either manner prohibited by section seventy-nine A, if the owner of such horse furnishes to the manager or other official having charge of the horse show or exhibition at which such horse is shown or exhibited an affidavit by the owner, in a form approved by the director of the division of animal health of the department of food and agriculture, that the tail of such horse was so cut in a state wherein such cutting was not then specifically prohibited by the laws thereof and while the horse was actually owned by a legal resident of such state. Said affidavit shall state the year of such cutting, the name of the state wherein the cutting was done, and the sex and age of the horse, shall describe the markings of the horse, if any, and shall be subject to inspection by any officer or agent mentioned in section eighty-four.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1934, c. 234, § 1. Amended by St.1946, c. 131; St.1975, c. 706, § 301.

§ 80. Repealed, 1934, 234, Sec. 1

§ 80 1/2 . Devocalization of dogs or cats; definitions; penalty; exceptions; records

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:--

“Board”, the board of registration in veterinary medicine.

“Devocalization”, a procedure on the larynx or vocal cords of an animal which causes the reduction or elimination of vocal sounds produced by that animal.

(b) Whoever performs, or causes to be performed, the surgical devocalization of a dog or cat shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500 or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition to this penalty, the court may order that any person who violates this section shall successfully complete a course of instruction relative to the humane treatment of animals or be barred from owning or keeping a dog or cat or sharing a residence with another who owns or keeps a dog or cat for a period of time as determined by said court.

(1) the person performing such devocalization is licensed under section 55 of chapter 112; and

(2) surgical devocalization of a dog or cat is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness, disease or injury or to correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or may cause the animal physical pain or harm; or

(3) the person who causes a devocalization procedure to be performed is relying upon the opinion of a person licensed under section 55 of chapter 112 that surgical devocalization of the dog or cat is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness, disease or injury or to correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or may cause the animal physical pain or harm.

(d) A veterinarian who performs a surgical devocalization procedure on a dog or cat shall keep a record of the procedure for a period of 4 years after the last contact with the animal. This record shall include: the name and address of the animal’s owner; the name and address of the person from whom payment is received for the procedure; a description of the animal, including its name, species, breed, date of birth, sex, color, markings and current weight; the license number and municipality that issued the license for the animal; the date and time of the procedure; the reason the procedure was performed; and any diagnostic opinion, analysis or test results to support the diagnosis. These records shall be subject to audit by the board.

Any person who performs a devocalization procedure on a dog or cat shall report the number of all such procedures to the board annually on or before March 30. The board shall maintain all notices received under this subsection for 4 years from the date of receipt.

Records maintained under this subsection shall not be considered a public record, as defined in clause twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 or section 10 of chapter 66, and these records shall not be publicly disseminated.

(e) The board shall, annually on or before March 1, report to the joint committee on the environment, natural resources and agriculture the number of animals that were the subject of devocalization notices received under subsection (d).

(f) Whoever being licensed under section 55 of chapter 112 violates any provision of this section shall be subject to the suspension or revocation of such license under section 59 of said chapter 112 and 256 CMR 7.00.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.2010, c. 82, § 3, eff. July 21, 2010.

§ 80A. Cropping or cutting off ear of dog; wound as prima facie evidence

Whoever, not being a veterinarian duly registered under chapter one hundred and twelve, crops or cuts off the whole or any part of the ear of a dog shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars. If a dog with an ear cropped or cut off in whole or in part and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed is found confined upon the premises or in the charge or custody of any person other than such veterinarian, or a dog officer of a city or town duly appointed under section one hundred and fifty-one of chapter one hundred and forty, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the person in control of such premises or the person having such charge or custody.

CREDIT(S)

Amended by St.1962, c. 106.

§ 80B. Exhibiting dogs with ears cropped or cut off

Whoever shows or exhibits or procures to be shown or exhibited at any dog show or exhibition in the commonwealth a dog with an ear or ears cropped or cut off, except when and as certified to be reasonably necessary by a veterinarian duly registered under the laws of the state of his residence, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2000 Main Volume

St.1928, c. 347, § 1.

§ 80C. Taking cat, dog or bird to exhibit it, subject it to experimentation or mutilation, or to sell it for such purposes; application of law

Whoever, without the consent of the owner, takes a cat, dog or bird, with intent to exhibit or cause it to be exhibited or to subject it or cause it to be subjected to experimentation or mutilation while alive, or with intent to sell it or cause it to be sold for the purpose of being exhibited or subjected to experimentation or mutilation as aforesaid, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than the maximum fine permitted by law for the larceny of an article of the same value as such cat, dog or bird. This section shall not apply to an institution acquiring a cat, dog or bird under the provisions of chapter forty-nine A.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1945, c. 272. Amended by St.1957, c. 298, § 6.

§ 80D. Living rabbits, baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl; sale, barter or gift

No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away as premiums living baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age.

No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more.

This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction.

Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1947, c. 168. Amended by St.1973, c. 88; St.1981, c. 286; St.1986, c. 175.

§ 80E. Use of decompression chambers for putting animals to death

Whoever puts any animal to death by the use of a decompression chamber shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1976, c. 139, § 2. Amended by St.1976, c. 299, § 2.

§ 80E ½ . Putting animal to death by drowning

Whoever puts an animal to death by drowning shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years in state prison or imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years, by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment for a first offense and punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years, by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment for a second or any subsequent offense.

Credits
Added by St.2018, c. 219, § 25, eff. Nov. 7, 2018.

§ 80F. Giving away live animals as prize or award

No person shall offer or give away any live animal as a prize or an award in a game, contest or tournament involving skill or chance. The provisions of this section shall not apply to awards made to persons participating in programs relating to animal husbandry.

Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1977, c. 112.

§ 80G. Experiments on vertebrates; vivisection, dissection of animals; care

No school principal, administrator or teacher shall allow any live vertebrate to be used in any elementary or high school under state control or supported wholly or partly by public money of the state as part of a scientific experiment or for any other purpose in which said vertebrates are experimentally medicated or drugged in a manner to cause painful reactions or to induce painful or lethal pathological conditions, or in which said vertebrates are injured through any other type of treatment, experiment or procedure including but not limited to anesthetization or electric shock, or where the normal health of said animal is interfered with or where pain or distress is caused.

No person shall, in the presence of a pupil in any elementary or high school under state control or supported wholly or partly by public money of the state, practice vivisection, or exhibit a vivisected animal. Dissection of dead animals or any portions thereof in such schools shall be confined to the class room and to the presence of pupils engaged in the study to be promoted thereby, and shall in no case be for the purpose of exhibition.

Live animals used as class pets or for purposes not prohibited in paragraphs one and two hereof in such schools shall be housed or cared for in a safe and humane manner. Said animals shall not remain in school over periods when such schools are not in session, unless adequate care is provided at all times.

The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs shall also apply to any activity associated with or sponsored by the school.

Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1979, c. 439, § 2.

§ 80H. Motor vehicles; striking, injuring or killing dogs or cats

The operator of a motor vehicle that strikes and injures or kills a dog or cat shall forthwith report such an accident to the owner or custodian of said dog or cat or to a police officer in the town wherein such accident has occurred. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 for a first offense or not more 10 days in a house of corrections and a fine of $500 and the cost of medical expenses, not to exceed $2,500, imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 6 months or both such fine and cost and imprisonment for a second and subsequent offense. Nothing in this section shall preclude a civil cause of action including, but not limited to medical expenses, by the aggrieved party.

Credits

Added by St.1979, c. 426. Renumbered by St.1980, c. 261, § 28. Amended by St.2018, c. 219, § 26, eff. Nov. 7, 2018.

§ 80 I . Leasing or renting dogs; penalties

(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:--

“Assistance and service dog”, a canine specifically trained to help persons with disabilities or a canine trained to help a person with a disability in life; provided, however, that “assistance and service dog” shall also include a canine trained for search and rescue and a medical response dog.

“Canine foster care”, an organization that places canines in a temporary home while awaiting pet adoption.

“Earth dog”, a canine breed used as a hunting dog to track game above and below ground.

“Farm dog”, a canine that works on a farm to assist humans or other animals.

“Pet adoption”, the permanent ownership of and responsibility for a pet that a previous owner has abandoned or otherwise abdicated its responsibility.

“Renting and leasing”, the practice of renting a dog for a fee or a cost which will knowingly result in a temporary possession of the animal by another party.

“Therapy dog”, a canine that is used under the ownership and care of its handler that visits people for educational, medical or mental purposes.

(b) No person shall engage in the business of leasing or renting a dog. A dog held for such leasing or renting may be seized or impounded by an organization or agent thereof that is authorized to seize or impound animals under the General Laws. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 for the first violation, not less than $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for subsequent violations. Fines may be levied on both the business that is leasing a dog and the person that has entered into a rental agreement. Nothing in this section shall prohibit service animal businesses or organizations, pet adoption and foster care services, and working animals for the following purposes including, but not limited to: service animal businesses or organizations, pet adoption and foster care services, farming and agriculture, working dog activities, dogs working in entertainment and shows which are authorized to do so under the General Laws, dogs participating in performance sports or activities including, but not limited to, sporting, hunting, earth dog and racing dog activities and people engaged in breeding, training and showing dog, and dogs used for medical or scientific purposes so long as such use is lawful. This section shall not prohibit a pet store, kennel, pet adoption service or other entity authorized to sell pets under the General Laws for a fee or a cost from taking back a pet that it may have sold if the owner is unable to keep or handle that pet.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.2008, c. 253, eff. Nov. 3, 2008.

§ 81. Rest, water and feed for transported animals; lien; liability for detention

Railroad corporations shall not permit animals carried or transported by them to be confined in cars longer than twenty-eight consecutive hours without unloading them for at least five consecutive hours for rest, water and feeding, unless prevented by storm or accident. In estimating such confinement, the time during which the animals have been confined without such rest on connecting roads from which they are received shall be included. Animals so unloaded shall during such rest be properly fed, watered and sheltered by the owner or person having the custody of them, or, in case of his default, by the railroad corporation transporting them, at the expense of said owner or person in custody thereof. In such case the corporation shall have a lien upon such animals for food, care and custody furnished, and shall not be liable for such detention. A corporation, owner or custodian of such animals failing to comply with this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars. This section shall not apply to animals carried in cars in which they can and do have proper food, water, space and opportunity for rest.

2000 Main Volume

St.1868, c. 212, § 5.
St.1869, c. 344, § 3.
St.1874, c. 372, § 142.
P.S.1882, c. 207, § 55.
R.L.1902, c. 212, § 73.

§ 82. Arrest without warrant for violation of section 77 or 81; notice; care of animals; lien

A person found violating any provision of section seventy-seven or eighty-one may be arrested and held without a warrant as provided in section fifty-four; the person making an arrest with or without a warrant shall use reasonable diligence to give notice thereof to the owner of animals found in the charge or custody of the person arrested, shall properly care and provide for such animals until the owner thereof takes charge of them, not, however, exceeding sixty days from the date of said notice, and shall have a lien on said animals for the expense of such care and provision.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2000 Main Volume

St.1869, c. 344, § 4.
P.S.1882, c. 207, § 56.
R.L.1902, c. 212, § 74.

§ 83. Complaint, warrant and search relative to cruelty to animals

If complaint is made to a court or magistrate authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases that the complainant has reasonable cause to believe that the laws relative to cruelty to animals have been or are violated in any particular building or place, such court or magistrate, if satisfied that there is reasonable cause for such belief, shall issue a search warrant authorizing any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer to search such building or place; but no such search shall be made after sunset, unless specially authorized by the magistrate upon satisfactory cause shown.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2000 Main Volume

St.1869, c. 344, § 5.
P.S.1882, c. 207, § 57.
R.L.1902, c. 212, § 75.

§ 84. Prosecutions under sections 77 to 81

Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables and police officers shall prosecute all violations of sections seventy-seven to eighty-one, inclusive, which come to their notice.

CREDIT(S)

Amended by St.1951, c. 34, § 1.

§ 85. Repealed, 1951, 34, Sec. 2

§ 85A. Injuring, taking away or harboring domesticated animals or birds; removal of dog license tag, collar or harness; imitation tag

Whoever with wrongful intent kills, maims, entices or carries away a dog or other domesticated animal or bird shall be liable in tort to its owner for three times its value. Any person who removes from the dog of another its license tag, collar or harness, or who, without the authorization of the owner or keeper, holds or harbors a dog or other domesticated animal of another, or who holds or harbors a lost or strayed dog or other domesticated animal for more than forty-eight hours after such animal comes into his possession without reporting or taking it to the police station or dog officer nearest to the place where it was found and informing the police officer or dog officer in charge where such dog or other animal was found, the name, color, age, size and pedigree, as fully as possible, of such animal and the person's own name and address, or who shall cause a dog to wear an imitation or counterfeit of the official tag prescribed by section one hundred and thirty-seven, one hundred and thirty-seven A or one hundred and thirty-seven B of chapter one hundred and forty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.1945, c. 276, § 1. Amended by St.1951, c. 185.

§ 85B. Assistance animals stolen or attacked; actions for economic and non-economic damages

(a) A physically impaired person who uses an assistance animal or the owner of the assistance animal, may bring an action for economic and non-economic damages against a person who steals or attacks the assistance animal. The action authorized by this subsection may be brought by the physically impaired person or owner notwithstanding that the assistance animal was in the custody or under the supervision of another person when the theft or attack occurred. If any other non-assistance animal should attack an assistance animal, the owner of the assistance animal may seek compensation from the owner or custodian of the non-assistance animal found to have caused harm to the assistance animal.

(b) If the theft or attack of an assistance animal as described in subsection (a) results in the death of the animal or the animal is not returned or if injuries sustained prevent the assistance animal from returning to service, the measure of economic damages shall include, but are not limited to, the veterinary medical expenses and the replacement cost of an equally trained assistance animal, without any differentiation for the age or the experience of the animal.

(c) A cause of action shall not arise under this section if the physically impaired individual, owner or the individual having custody or supervision of the assistance animal was engaged in the commission of a crime at the time of injury sustained by the assistance animal.

CREDIT(S)

Added by St.2004, c. 104, eff. Aug. 18, 2004.

§ 86. Stabling horses or mules on second or higher floors, in places other than cities

No person shall stable a horse or mule on the second or any higher floor of any building, unless there are two means of exit therefrom, at opposite ends of the building, to the main or street floor, unless such building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. This section shall not apply to cities.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2000 Main Volume

St.1916, c. 158, §§ 1 to 3.
St.1921, c. 109.
St.1924, c. 478, § 1.

§ 86A. Stabling horses and mules above first floor; exceeding six; fire exits

No person shall stable a horse or mule above the first or ground floor of any building not equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, or horses or mules exceeding six in all on the first or ground floor of any building not so equipped, unless there are two unobstructed means of exit from each floor whereon it or they are stabled, as far apart as practicable and so constructed as to grade that the said animal or animals can quickly and safely leave the building in case of fire and approved as to situation, arrangement and utility by the chief of the fire department. The person in charge of horses and mules stabled in any building not equipped with such a system and requiring two exits as aforesaid shall cause each such animal to use each such exit at least once a week. This and the four following sections shall apply only to cities.