Plymouth County, MA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- County Leash Law
- None; towns set rules
- Owner Liability
- Strict for all damage
- Local Authority
- Granted by c.140 §173
- Licensing
- Required every town
Summary
Leash rules are set by each Plymouth County town under authority of MGL c.140 §173. Statewide, MGL c.140 §155 makes a dog's owner strictly liable for any damage the dog does, regardless of whether it ever bit before.
If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts empowers each city and town, under MGL c.140 §173, to make its own leash and animal-control bylaws, so leash rules vary: Brockton, Plymouth, and Marshfield require dogs restrained or under control off the owner's property. There is no county leash law. The statewide backbone is MGL c.140 §155, which holds the owner or keeper strictly liable for any damage a dog does to a person or property, with no need to prove the dog was dangerous or had prior notice. The owner of a minor keeper is liable instead. Rabies vaccination and licensing are required in every town.
Violations & Fines
A loose dog violating a town leash bylaw can be impounded and the owner fined. Under MGL c.140 §155 the owner is liable for all damage the dog causes, with no prior-bite requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a countywide leash law?
Am I liable if my dog bites someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth County
Compare Plymouth County to another location·View the Massachusetts animal ordinances overview
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