Breed Restrictions: Burlington vs Cambridge
How do breed restrictions rules compare between Burlington, MA and Cambridge, MA?
Burlington and Cambridge have similar restriction levels.
Burlington, MA
Middlesex County
Massachusetts law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Under MGL c.140 s.157A (2012), no Middlesex County city or town can ban or restrict dogs based on breed. Regulation is behavior-based only.
View full Burlington rules →Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge does not impose breed-specific restrictions; Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140 Section 157A prohibits cities from regulating dogs based on breed.
View full Cambridge rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burlington | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Breed bans | ILLEGAL statewide since 2012 | - |
| Governing law | MGL c.140 s.157A | - |
| Approach | Behavior-based only | - |
| Dangerous dog | After hearing, specific conduct | - |
| Landlords | Also cannot ban by breed | - |
| Breed Ban | - | None (state preempted) |
| State Law | - | MGL c.140 s.157A |
| Dangerous Dog Rule | - | Behavior-based |
| Hearing Authority | - | Animal Commission |
| License | - | Annual, breed-neutral |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burlington FAQ
Can Cambridge or Newton ban pit bulls?
No. State law explicitly prohibits any Massachusetts municipality from breed-specific legislation since 2012.
What if my dog bites someone?
A hearing officer holds a dangerous dog hearing and can order muzzling, confinement, insurance, or other remedies based on conduct.
Cambridge FAQ
Can my Cambridge landlord ban pit bulls?
Yes. State preemption applies to municipal law, not private leases; landlords and condos may still set breed rules.
What happens if my dog bites someone in Cambridge?
A hearing under MGL c.140 s.157 follows, which can result in nuisance or dangerous-dog orders including muzzling and insurance.
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