Hampden County, MA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Massachusetts dog laws are codified in M.G.L. c. 140 §§136A-174E. Key provisions: §137 requires every dog 6 months or older to be licensed annually by the city/town clerk and to wear a collar with the license tag; §137B requires proof of current rabies vaccination at licensing; §136A defines a dog "at large" as off the owner's premises and not under direct restraint or control; §155 makes the owner strictly liable for damages caused by the dog (no "one-bite rule" in MA); §157 sets the procedure for dangerous-dog complaints heard by a hearing officer appointed by the municipality; §167 requires a kennel license for owners of four or more dogs; §173A regulates impoundment and redemption fees. There is no statewide leash law, so each Hampden County municipality fills the gap by ordinance. Springfield Code Ch. 70 §70-1 requires every dog to be on a leash not more than 6 feet long when off the owner's property and prohibits dogs from running at large. Holyoke Code Ch. 4 §4-3 requires dogs to be restrained by leash when off the owner's premises and authorizes the dog officer to impound at-large dogs. Chicopee Code Ch. 86 follows the same pattern. Westfield, Agawam, West Springfield, Ludlow, and the smaller towns (Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampden, Monson, Palmer) all have leash bylaws adopted under M.G.L. c. 40 §21. Hampden County government was abolished by St. 1997 c. 48 (M.G.L. c. 34B §1); the former Hampden County Sheriff's Department continues as a state agency but does not enforce dog ordinances. Enforcement is by each municipality's animal control officer (ACO) appointed under M.G.L. c. 140 §151. Persistent barking is handled under the local nuisance bylaw and M.G.L. c. 140 §157 ("nuisance dog" determination by the hearing officer).