Animal Ordinances in Worcester, MA (2026)
3 verified animal ordinances for Worcester, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Worcester requires dogs to be leashed or under control of the owner at all times when off the owner's property under city ordinance and MGL Chapter 140. Dogs running at large may be impounded.
Worcester Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157 – Nuisance and dangerous dogs
restrained; provided, however, that no order shall provide that a dog deemed dangerous be chained, tethered or otherwise tied to an inanimate object including, but not limited to, a tree, post or building; (ii) that the dog be confined to the premises of the keeper of the dog; provided, however, that ''confined'' shall mean securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed a...
Breed Restrictions
Worcester does not enforce breed-specific legislation. Massachusetts law regulates dogs based on individual behavior, not breed. Dogs that bite or threaten may be declared dangerous regardless of breed.
Worcester Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157A – Failure to comply; dangerous dog penalties
An owner or keeper of a dog who fails to comply with an order of a hearing authority or district court shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 60 days in a jail or house of correction, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days in a jail or house of ...
Wildlife Feeding
Worcester bans feeding or baiting gulls and any waterfowl, including ducks, geese and swans, anywhere in the city. Scattering grain, bread or other feed to lure the birds draws a $100 fine per offense, though pet waterfowl and licensed farmers are exempt.
Worcester Waterfowl Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of the City of Worcester, Ch. 8 § 9B(a), (c)
No person, except as otherwise provided by the Massachusetts General Laws, shall feed or bait any gulls (birds in the family Laridae often informally called seagulls) or any waterfowl of the family Anatidae (including, but not restricted to ducks, geese, and swans) at any place within the city. ... Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine of one hundred d...