State Senate: Senator
Robert Hedlund (Plymouth and Norfolk) Senator
Susan Fargo (3rd Middlesex) * Senator Hedlund sponsored the bill the ban wild animals in
circuses and Senator Fargo sponsored the bill to ban foie gras.
For a complete list of current Federal Bills and Federal Issues visitHSUS.
For a complete list of current State Bills and State Issues visitHSUS.
Clicking the button below will take you off Humane USA's site to Big Cat Rescue's Capitol Advantage site that promotes bills primarily regarding exotic cats.
Select your state for pending animal issues
Click on the state of interest to see if your state chapter is working on pending animal legislation. If there is no state chapter then you will be redirected to Big Cat Rescue's Capitol Advantage site for exotic cat issues for that state. If you would like to start a state chapter for your state contact Humane USA at the address below.
If you cannot see the interactive map below, try using Internet Explorer or go HERE.
Massachusetts
Department of Fish and Wildlife
251 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02114
617-727-3151
No permits for breeding unless in compliance with AZA, IUCN, or the state of Massachusetts or the USA, and in the eyes of MA Director will make a meaningful contribution to the survival and recovery of the species. No personal possession permits for the purpose of pet ownership will be issued. Authentic and legitimate educational use certified by zoological or biological officials will be issued permits. Commercial businesses where the animal is in conjunction with the applicant's primary existing occupation or livelihood will be granted a permit. If you are a resident, type your zip code into any box on this page to see what legislation is pending in your state and make a difference now!
Massachusetts Cruely Laws
MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 272 §§ 77 et seq. and MASS. GEN . LAWS ch. 266 § 112 -- last amended 1989
Definition of Animal: No.
Statute Summary: A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person:
Overdrives, overloads, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly beats, mutilates or kills, uses in a cruel race or game, unnecessarily fails to provide any animal with proper food, drink, shelter, sanitary environment, or protection from the weather, or willfully abandons it, or carries it in a cruel manner, or knowingly and willfully authorizes or permits it to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind.
Cruelty to animals
Defined in statute.
Fine up to $1000.
Imprisonment up to 1 year.
Malicious killing of animals.
Defined in statute.
Fine up to $1000.
Imprisonment up to 5 years.
Forfeiture of Animal/Seizure: Both
Other Sentencing Provisions: Cost of care.
Exemptions: Use of bait in fishing.
Promote Humane USA of
Massachusetts
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Massachusetts. Be sure to link to: http://www.humaneusa.org/humaneusama.htm
Copy and paste this web sticker into your website's pages or your emails to promote Humane USA
Massachusetts. Be sure to link to: http://www.humaneusa.org/humaneusama.htm
