Massachusetts law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Under MGL c.140 s.157A (2012), no Middlesex County city or town can ban or restrict dogs based on breed. Regulation is behavior-based only.
Since 2012, Massachusetts General Laws c.140 s.157A has prohibited any city or town from regulating dogs based on breed. This overturned earlier bans in Boston and other communities. As a result, no Middlesex County municipality may ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed. All dog regulation in Middlesex County is behavior-based: a dog can only be declared dangerous or nuisance after specific conduct (biting, menacing, killing livestock, etc.) under a formal hearing process conducted by the local hearing officer or select board. MGL c.140 s.157 governs the dangerous dog determination: the hearing officer may order muzzling, confinement, insurance, or in extreme cases euthanasia. Middlesex cities like Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, and Lowell all follow the state framework. Landlords and condo associations are also prohibited from breed-based restrictions in Massachusetts since 2012, though they may still enforce behavior-based rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle breed restrictions.
See how Arlington's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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