Because Belmont has been considering a new animal control law, I’ve been receiving some state law questions. State law vests authority for regulation of animals with local officials. General Laws, Chapter 140, sections 136A through 172 defines local authority over both kennels and individual dogs. Here are a few relevant sections. Section 136A defines terms, […]
Animal Welfare
Animal Cruelty
I have recently received a number of emails in the form below asking me to support Senate 1626 to protect circus elephants. I do support this legislation, and I am, in fact, a cosponsor. I believe that at some point in the future, we will look back on the days when we trucked circus animals […]
Key animal protection bills this session
I have recently received a number of emails in the form below urging supporting of key animal protection bills. I feel strongly about animal protection issues and I am already a cosponsor of all these bills! ——————– I am writing to ask that you co-sponsor these key animal protection bills this session: Farm Animal Confinement […]
Dangerous Breed Legislation
Recently, I have received a number of emails in the form further below. My reply is that yes, I will vote to protect the breed neutral language that we passed last year. I am respectful of the comments that the ASPCA has provided on this issue. The ASPCA is not aware of any credible evidence […]
Animal Welfare Bills — Session Wrap up
The session ended with the passage of in important animal welfare bill, but left several other bills hanging.
Coyotes on the Loose
There has been recent publicity regarding the presence of coyotes, particularly in various of Belmont’s big woods, which pose a threat to pets and people of small stature. This is a regional problem and could be addressed by the Commonwealth without great expense, rather than by placing yet another burden on individual municipalities.