Adoption of M.G. L. c. 140, § 147A Regulation of Dogs

The Agency accepts the provisions of M.G.L. c. 140, §147A and issues the following rules governing the control of dogs within Devens: (1) The Agency appoints the Director of the Devens DPW as the Devens Dog Officer, and authorizes such of his assistants or agents as he chooses to assist him in this role. The Dog Officer and his assistants or agents appointed under 946 CMR 4.12(1) shall have the authority to enforce the laws and rules relating to dogs. It shall be the duty of the Police to assist the Dog Officer and his assistants in this enforcement effort. (2) No owner or keeper of any dog shall permit such dog, to run at large or be a public nuisance upon any part of Devens or the Devens Properties. All dogs shall be leashed, except that a dog may, for purposes of a sporting event, such as field trials, or training be exempt from this requirement or restraint during such period of time as the dog is actually engages in the event or sport. 4.12: continued (3) All dogs six months old or over kept or coming within Devens shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of M.G. L. c. 40, § 137 and shall have been vaccinated as required by M.G.L. c. 40, § 145B. Residents in Devens shall obtain the required dog licenses from the Dog Officer’s clerk and pay to the clerk the required fee. (4) It shall be the duty of the Dog Officer or the Police to apprehend any dog not on a leash or found running at large and to impound such dog in a suitable place. If such dog so impounded has upon it the name and address of the owner thereof, or if the name of such owner is otherwise known, then the Dog Officer or the Police shall immediately notify the owner. If the owner is not known, then no notice shall be necessary. The owner or keeper of any dog so impounded may reclaim such dog upon payment to the Dog Officer or his agent, of any impoundment fee as determined by the by the Dog Officer or his agent, for each 24 period or part thereof that the dog has been held. However, that if the dog is not licensed, a license as required by law shall be secured. (5) Any dog, which has been impounded and has not been redeemed by the owner within ten days, shall be disposed of as provided by M.G.L. c. 140, § 152A, as amended.