Taunton's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Taunton, Massachusetts, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pet Limits

Taunton treats any lot with three or more dogs as a kennel under City Code Section 191-8, requiring a Municipal Council license. Class I covers four to six dogs, Class II seven to 12, and Class III more than 12, each needing a public hearing, an Animal Control Officer inspection, and compliance with setback and shelter rules keyed to the class.

Key details: Kennel threshold: 3+ dogs on one lot. Class I: 4-6 dogs, 100 ft setback, $50 fee. Class II: 7-12 dogs, 150 ft setback, $100 fee. Class III: 12+ dogs, 250 ft setback, $150 fee. Unlicensed kennel fine: $150 first, $250 each after.

Keeping more dogs than a kennel license class allows is grounds for revocation, and the Animal Control Officer or Municipal Council can suspend, revoke or reinstate a license after a due-process hearing under Section 191-8(G). Maintaining a kennel on unlicensed premises, or on premises whose license has been revoked, is a separate violation carrying a $150 fine for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense, with every day the violation continues counted as a new offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Taunton's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

Taunton requires every dog to be under leash or direct control whenever it leaves its owner's property, on someone else's premises, or anywhere on public land. The leash must be a chain, rope or cord of six feet or less, strong enough to control the dog. The Animal Control Officer can impound a loose dog, and City Code Section 191-4 sets a $50 fine for a first offense, doubling and tripling for repeats in the same year.

Key details: Leash length limit: 6 feet maximum. First-offense fine: $50 (Sec. 191-4). Repeat-offense fines: $100 second, $150 third+. Enforcement: Animal Control Officer, police. Impound hold: 10-day notice period.

A first leash-law violation in a calendar year costs $50 under Section 191-4; a second offense in the same year doubles the fine to $100, and a third or later offense triples it to $150. Payment to the City Clerk closes the case as a final disposition. An owner observed violating the law who refuses to give a police officer proper identification is subject to arrest, and a dog seized for running at large can be held until all fines and fees are paid.

Breed Restrictions

Taunton does not regulate dogs by breed; instead City Code Section 191-6 targets dogs of fierce, dangerous or vicious propensities and female dogs in heat. Such a dog cannot run at large on or off its owner's property and must be kept in a clean, adequately sized enclosure, with enclosures barred from residential zones within 1,000 feet of a dwelling absent written neighbor consent.

Key details: Enclosure buffer: 1,000 ft from dwellings in residential zones. Penalty: $300 per violation (Sec. 191-6(E)). Presumption trigger: Trained for attack or bitten without provocation. Impound notice: Posted 5 days, 3+ locations. Basis: Behavior-based, not breed-specific.

Each separate violation of the vicious-dog enclosure and running-at-large rules carries a $300 fine under Section 191-6(E), payable to the City Clerk. Beyond the fine, a vicious dog caught running at large that cannot be safely captured may be shot by a police officer on the spot, and any dog impounded under this section stays in custody until the owner pays the license fee, if unpaid, plus all impounding and maintenance costs and proves adequate enclosure facilities exist.

Compared to other cities, Taunton takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Taunton is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Taunton, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Taunton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.