Animal cruelty including hoarding is criminalized statewide under M.G.L. Chapter 272 Section 77. Hoarding triggers welfare investigations and felony charges in severe cases.
M.G.L. Chapter 272 Section 77 makes animal cruelty a felony punishable by up to 7 years in state prison and $5,000 fine for first offense. Animal hoarding is prosecuted under this statute when conditions cause suffering. The PAWS Act (2014) and PAWS II (2018) expanded protections. Veterinarians, social workers, and law enforcement are authorized to report. Convicted hoarders may be barred from owning animals.
Felony: up to 7 years state prison plus $5,000 fine; second offense up to 10 years; mandatory animal forfeiture; ownership ban.
Lunenburg, MA
Lunenburg does not have a single dedicated municipal noise ordinance with fixed decibel limits. The Town's general bylaws and Chapter 250 (Zoning) treat unre...
Worcester County, MA
No county ordinance. Dog and animal noise complaints are handled by individual city and town animal control officers. Each municipality sets its own nuisance...
Worcester County, MA
No county ordinance. Construction hour restrictions are set by individual cities and towns within Worcester County. Contact the relevant city or town buildin...
Worcester County, MA
No county commercial vehicle parking ordinance. Restrictions on commercial vehicle parking in residential zones are set by individual municipalities under lo...
Worcester County, MA
No county RV parking rule. Individual cities/towns regulate storage of recreational vehicles. Check each municipality's zoning ordinance for on-street and dr...
Worcester County, MA
No county parking ordinance. Street parking rules are set by individual municipalities. Contact your city or town public works or police department for local...
See how Lunenburg's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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