Breed Restrictions: New Bedford vs Somerset
How do breed restrictions rules compare between New Bedford, MA and Somerset, MA?
New Bedford and Somerset have similar restriction levels.
New Bedford, MA
Bristol County
New Bedford does not impose breed-specific legislation. The city enforces dangerous dog provisions under state law. Dogs that inflict injury or repeatedly run at large may be classified as dangerous and subject to additional restraint requirements.
View full New Bedford rules →Somerset, MA
Bristol County
Bristol County does not impose county-level breed restrictions. Massachusetts has no statewide breed ban preemption, allowing individual municipalities to set their own policies. Most Bristol County towns enforce dangerous dog provisions under MGL Ch. 140 rather than breed-specific bans.
View full Somerset rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | New Bedford | Somerset |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Bans | None — no BSL | - |
| Dangerous Dog | State law provisions apply | MGL Ch. 140 provisions apply |
| Enforcement | Animal Control Division | - |
| Contact | 508-991-6366 | - |
| County BSL | - | None |
| State Preemption | - | No statewide breed ban preemption |
| Authority | - | Individual municipalities |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
New Bedford FAQ
Are any dog breeds banned in New Bedford?
New Bedford does not impose breed-specific legislation. The city enforces dangerous dog provisions under state law. Dogs that inflict injury or repeatedly run at large may be classified as dangerous and subject to additional restraint requirements.
Are there pit bull restrictions in New Bedford?
Breed Bans: None — no BSL. Dangerous Dog: State law provisions apply. Enforcement: Animal Control Division. Contact: 508-991-6366.
Somerset FAQ
Are any dog breeds banned in Bristol County?
Bristol County does not impose county-level breed restrictions. Massachusetts has no statewide breed ban preemption, allowing individual municipalities to set their own policies. Most Bristol County towns enforce dangerous dog provisions under MGL Ch. 140 rather than breed-specific bans.
Are there pit bull restrictions in Bristol County?
County BSL: None. State Preemption: No statewide breed ban preemption. Dangerous Dog: MGL Ch. 140 provisions apply. Authority: Individual municipalities.
Compare other topics
See how New Bedford and Somerset compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool