Chicopee, MA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 144-23 of the Chicopee Code sets the whole process. Any person can file a written complaint with the Board of Health that a dog is a nuisance or dangerous dog. An animal control officer can initiate a special hearing and impound the animal. The Animal Control Center notifies the owner by certified letter or Sheriff's Department delivery, and the owner can attend and be heard. Special hearings are public meetings. If a dog is declared, the City Clerk notifies the abutters next door and across the street by regular mail and in the local newspaper, at the owner's sole expense.

Breed cannot be the basis. Under § 144-23(B)(2) no dog is declared a nuisance or dangerous dog based upon the breed of the dog, and (B)(1) adds that growling or barking alone is not enough. Section 144-1 defines a dangerous dog by behavior: a propensity to attack or endanger people or domestic animals, or an attack on a human being or domestic animal on two or more occasions without provocation. Section 144-25 exempts so-called pit bulls and other so-called dangerous and vicious dogs from § 144-23 when they are part of a performing dog show, circus or animal exhibition that meets state and federal law.

Orders: the Board can order one or more of nine measures, including humane restraint, confinement indoors or in a locked pen, a muzzle and a tether with a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding three feet, and a secure enclosure built within two weeks. Owners face a $75 inspection fee for the enclosure, and a $200 per day fine if found violating the enclosure requirement. Section 144-23(D) removes a dog from the list after 36 months with no additional incidents. Reclaiming an impounded dangerous or nuisance dog costs $40 plus a boarding fee of $22 per dog, per day, and other listed costs.