Every Essex County town enforces a leash bylaw requiring dogs to be restrained off the owner's property, authorized by MGL c.140 §173. Owners are strictly liable for any damage their dog does under c.140 §155.
Massachusetts lets cities and towns make their own animal-control bylaws under c.140 §173, and Salem, Lynn, Peabody, Lawrence, Haverhill, and every Essex community require dogs to be leashed or under restraint whenever they're off the owner's land. Dogs running at large are impounded, and the owner pays boarding fees to reclaim them. A dog owner is strictly liable under c.140 §155 for any injury or property damage the dog causes, with no need to prove the dog was vicious before.
Letting a dog run loose brings a fine and impoundment, with boarding fees owed to reclaim the animal. Repeat offenders and nuisance dogs face a hearing and a restraint or muzzle order under c.140 §157.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Essex County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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