A message from the Animal Control Officer

With the temperatures forecasted in the single digits and wind chills reported to be several degrees BELOW zero please keep in mind the new State laws passed regarding the amount of time your dogs should be outside at one time, 15 minutes! 

If you have a cat that is normally outdoors please keep them in, if in the house isn’t an option a garage, shed, or barn with unfrozen water and a blanket, keep them out of the wind.  This goes for livestock too, blanket your horses or keep inside, make sure animals have access to unfrozen water and can get in the barn or 3 sided wind break, DO Not bring your livestock in the house, it is unnecessary. 

MA General Law Chapter 140 section 174 E (d) A person shall not leave a dog outside when a weather advisory, warning or watch is issued by a local, state or federal authority or when outside environmental conditions including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of the dog based on the dog's breed, age or physical condition, unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes.