Breed Restrictions: Brookline vs Wellesley
How do breed restrictions rules compare between Brookline, MA and Wellesley, MA?
Brookline and Wellesley have similar restriction levels.
Brookline, MA
Norfolk County
Brookline has no breed-specific legislation. Massachusetts does not permit BSL under state law. Dangerous dog classification is behavior-based under MGL c. 140. Brookline has banned exotic animals in traveling shows.
View full Brookline rules →Wellesley, MA
Norfolk County
Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 140 §157) prohibits breed-specific legislation (BSL) at the municipal level. No Norfolk County municipality may ban or restrict specific dog breeds based on breed alone.
View full Wellesley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brookline | Wellesley |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Ban? | No breed-specific ordinance in Brookline | - |
| State Law | MGL c. 140 (behavior-based dangerous dog) | - |
| Pet Shop Ban | Brookline bans sale of non-rescue dogs/cats in pet shops | - |
| Topic | Breed Restrictions | - |
| BSL Status | - | Prohibited statewide — MGL c. 140 §157 |
| Breed Bans? | - | Illegal in all MA municipalities |
| Dangerous Dog Law | - | Breed-neutral — applies to individual animals with bite history |
| State Authority | - | MGL c. 140 §157 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brookline FAQ
Are any dog breeds banned in Brookline?
Brookline has no breed-specific legislation. Massachusetts does not permit BSL under state law. Dangerous dog classification is behavior-based under MGL c. 140. Brookline has banned exotic animals in traveling shows.
Are there pit bull restrictions in Brookline?
Breed Ban?: No breed-specific ordinance in Brookline. State Law: MGL c. 140 (behavior-based dangerous dog). Pet Shop Ban: Brookline bans sale of non-rescue dogs/cats in pet shops.
Wellesley FAQ
Are any dog breeds banned in Norfolk County?
Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 140 §157) prohibits breed-specific legislation (BSL) at the municipal level. No Norfolk County municipality may ban or restrict specific dog breeds based on breed alone.
Are there pit bull restrictions in Norfolk County?
BSL Status: Prohibited statewide — MGL c. 140 §157. Breed Bans?: Illegal in all MA municipalities. Dangerous Dog Law: Breed-neutral — applies to individual animals with bite history. State Authority: MGL c. 140 §157.
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