Springfield, MA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 110's dangerous-and-nuisance-dog process lets anyone file a written complaint, but the ordinance expressly forbids two shortcuts: a dog cannot be declared dangerous solely because it growled or barked, and it cannot be declared dangerous based on its breed. The Advisory and Hearing Committee must instead weigh documented facts at a public hearing, and even a dog that reacted isn't automatically dangerous if the reaction was proportionate to being attacked, provoked, or trespassed against. So Springfield has no breed-specific restriction, pit bulls, for instance, aren't banned or singled out; every case is judged on individual conduct.