The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (JCMRG) has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 1PM to 5PM, on multiple animal bills, including some opposed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
OPPOSE: UPDATING ANIMAL HEALTH INSPECTIONS
HB 2253 and SB 1458 are mirror bills that would remove Massachusetts’ legal distinction between state-licensed commercial entities (pet shops) and “personal kennel” licensees. By definition, personal kennel licensees are allowed to sell, trade, barter, or distribute dogs to other breeders or individuals by private sale. HB 2253 and SB 1458 would eliminate the current law’s express exemption that those who sell, exchange, or transfer the offspring of their personally-owned animals cannot be licensed by the state as a business. As a result, personal kennels inspected and licensed by their towns would need to obtain a second state license to demonstrate compliance with future commercial-type regulations.
AKC supports enforcing appropriate care and conditions through licensure and regulation for commercial animal care facilities. However, we strongly oppose HB 2253 and SB 1458 because privately selling a few offspring of personally-owned dogs to a pet home, or trading dogs between sportsmen, should not classify those parties and activities as commercial business entities in need of state licensure and regulation.
OPPOSE: IMPROVING ENFORCEMENT FOR TETHERING VIOLATIONS
SB 1460 would significantly amend the current law that restricts how and when you are permitted to tether or confine a dog. AKC agrees that no dog ought to be tethered with a pinch or choke collar (Sections 2 and 5). However, AKC is opposed to Sections 1, 4, and 6 because (1) a pen or secure enclosure would be required to provide at least 100 square feet per dog; and (2) the proposed definition of “outside and unattended” would prohibit outdoor kennel use for longer than 5 hours and from 10PM to 6AM. Requiring a large uniform enclosure for every breed of dog is impractical. Further, many working dog breeds are outside and unattended when performing their jobs.
Other bills under review include:
- HB 2342 and SB 1459 would require assessment of a dangerous dog with recommendations for only positive training techniques, including prohibiting the use of prong and choke collars.
- SB 1190 would create civil fines for neglect of domestic animals that would be deposited into the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund.
- HB 2247 would increase the fines for cruelty to animals and establish a fund dedicated to improvements for local animal shelters.
- HB 2256 would create the same consumer protections irrespective of where a pet was acquired.
- HB 2245 would require commercial breeder kennels, which are licensed by their municipality, to also obtain an annual municipal “breeders” license upon evaluation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Massachusetts residents are encouraged to contact the JCMRG Committee and share your opposition to HB 2253 / SB 1458 and SB 1460. Consider the following talking points:
- Applying pet shop licensure to a personal kennel will hamstring those who personally own dogs for the purposes of improving, exhibiting, or showing the breed, or for use in legal sporting activities.
- Personal kennels are not businesses and should not be regulated as commercial entities.
- Uniformly requiring a 100-square foot pen regardless of dog size, and banning the keeping of any dog, outside and unattended between 10PM and 6AM, is unacceptable.
- Written electronic testimony may be submitted until June 24, 2025, at 5PM via email to jointcommittee.municipalities®ionalgovernment@malegislature.gov. Please include “Opposing bills HB 2253, SB 1458, and SB 1460” in the subject line. In the body of your email, address your opposition to House Chair Rep. Lewis and Senate Chair Sen. Rausch.
- Anyone wishing to testify before the committee in person or virtually, on June 10, between 1PM and 5PM, must register to do so before Monday, June 9, at 10AM using this form. If you wish to testify virtually, please indicate that on the Google form. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions for joining the hearing remotely. Oral testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person.
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on these bills and other Massachusetts legislation as developments warrant. For more information on this or other legislative issues in Massachusetts, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners at info@massfeddogs.org.