Animal Ordinances in Haverhill, MA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Haverhill, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Haverhill, the Board of Health controls whether residents can keep chickens, swine, goats or other domestic fowl and livestock, holding authority under City Code Section 11-32(A)(6) to regulate or restrict their keeping and breeding citywide or within specified districts. Separately, Section 137-1 bans letting swine, sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses or cattle run loose, graze or pasture on any street, way, public land or sidewalk.
Livestock and Fowl Keeping Rules in Haverhill
Some RestrictionsHaverhill City Code §§ 11-32(A)(6), 137-1, 137-16
The Board of Health may make sanitary rules and regulations regarding: ... (6) The keeping and breeding of birds, fowl, swine, goats and all other domestic animals within the City limits, or within specified areas or districts thereof. ... No owner or person having the care of any swine, sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses or neat cattle shall suffer the same to go or be at large or to graze or ...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Haverhill, dogs may not leave their owner's property unless held firmly on a leash no longer than six feet, under City Code § 137-10. The rule exempts hunting or training dogs and farm dogs herding livestock. Violating Chapter 137, including the leash law, brings a $50 fine for a first offense, $100 for each later offense, plus an extra $100 if the dog causes bodily harm.
Dog Leash Law in Haverhill
Some RestrictionsHaverhill City Code §§ 137-10, 137-16
§ 137-10. Leashing required; exception. No person shall keep any dog in the City of Haverhill outside the owner's or keeper's property unless said dog is held firmly on a leash not exceeding six feet in length, except when the dog is being used for hunting or training purposes by the owner or keeper, or farm dogs going from farm property so owned or occupied for purposes of herding livestock. ....
Breed Restrictions
Haverhill does not ban any breed by name. Instead, City Code § 137-17 lets the Chief of Police declare an individual dog "dangerous" or "vicious" based on its conduct, then imposes confinement, muzzling, insurance and fine requirements on that dog's owner.
Haverhill Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsHaverhill City Code § 137-17
§ 137-17. Dangerous and vicious dogs; violations and penalties. ... (1) Definition; determination that dog is dangerous or vicious. (a) "Dangerous dog" or "vicious dog," as used in this section, shall mean: [1] Any dog that has bitten or attacked any person or has attempted to bite or attack any person. ... B. Duties of owner when dog is determined to be dangerous. (1) Outdoor confinement. (a) ...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding, catching, harassing or otherwise interfering with any wild bird, reptile, amphibian or mammal is banned in Haverhill's Conservation Areas under § 193-18A, covering Winnekenni Park, Meadow Brook, Tattersall Farm, John's Woods, Lake Saltonstall, Crystal Lake and several smaller preserves. The Conservation Officer, police and state environmental police can fine violators up to $300 per day.
Haverhill Conservation Area Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsHaverhill City Code § 193-18
§ 193-18. Animals. A. Catching, injuring, destroying, harassing, agitating, feeding, or interfering in any way with birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals or any other wild animal, including its nest, burrow, den or other habitat is prohibited. ... ... § 193-25. Violations and penalties. A fine of not more than $300 per day shall be imposed for any violation of this article, or of a permit issued...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Haverhill has no citywide mandatory spay/neuter law. City Code § 137-17C lets the Chief of Police order a declared dangerous or vicious dog spayed or neutered, with a medical exemption available.
Haverhill Spay/Neuter Order for Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsHaverhill City Code § 137-17C(1)(a)
§ 137-17. Dangerous and vicious dogs; violations and penalties. ... C. Enforcement, fines and penalties. (1) When a dog is deemed to be dangerous or vicious, the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, shall order the owner to submit written verification to confirm any or all of the following: (a) Spay or neutering, the animal is not already altered. The animal will be exempt from such an order i...
Microchipping
Haverhill does not require microchips for every dog. City Code §§ 137-17C and 137-18B let the Chief of Police or Animal Control order microchip identification for a dog declared dangerous or potentially dangerous.
Haverhill Microchip Order for Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsHaverhill City Code § 137-17C(1)(b); § 137-18B(2)
§ 137-17. Dangerous and vicious dogs; violations and penalties. ... ... C. Enforcement, fines and penalties. (1) When a dog is deemed to be dangerous or vicious, the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, shall order the owner to submit written verification to confirm any or all of the following: ... (b) Microchip identification, the mode of which shall be designated by the Animal Control Office...