Attleboro, MA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Attleboro, MA, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Standard
- Habitual barking subject to enforcement
- State Law
- MGL Ch. 140 §157 (nuisance dogs)
- Enforcement
- Animal Control / Police
- Contact
- Animal Control: 27A Pond Street North
Summary
Attleboro addresses nuisance dogs under its animal control ordinance and state law MGL Ch. 140. Dogs that habitually bark or cause disturbances may result in enforcement action. Animal Control (27A Pond Street North) handles complaints.
Section 157. (a) Any person may file a complaint in writing to the hearing authority that a dog owned or kept in the city or town is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog; provided, however, that no dog shall be deemed dangerous: (i) solely based upon growling or barking or solely growling and barking; (ii) based upon the breed of the dog; or (iii) if the dog was reacting to another animal or to a person and the dog's reaction was not grossly disproportionate to any of the following circumstances:
(1) the dog was protecting or defending itself, its offspring, another domestic animal or a person from attack or assault;
(2) the person who was attacked or threatened by the dog was committing a crime upon the person or property of the owner or keeper of the dog;
(3) the person attacked or threatened by the dog was engaged in teasing, tormenting, battering, assaulting, injuring or otherwise provoking the dog; or
(4) at the time of the attack or threat, the person or animal that was attacked or threatened by the dog had breached an enclosure or structure in which the dog was kept apart from the public and such person or animal was not authorized by the owner of the premises to be within such enclosure including, but not limited to, a gated, fenced-in area if the gate was closed, whether locked or unlocked; provided, however, that if a person is under the age of 7, it shall be a rebuttable presumption that such person was not committing a crime, provoking the dog or trespassing.
The hearing authority shall investigate or cause the investigation of the complaint, including an examination under oath of the complainant at a public hearing in the municipality to determine whether the dog is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog. Based on credible evidence and testimony presented at the public hearing, the hearing authority shall: (i) if the dog is complained of as a nuisance dog, either dismiss the complaint or deem the dog a nuisance dog; or (ii) if the dog is complained of as a dangerous dog: (A) dismiss the complaint; (B) deem the dog a nuisance dog; or (C) deem the dog a dangerous dog.
(b) If the hearing authority deems a dog a nuisance dog, the hearing authority may further order that the owner or keeper of the dog take remedial action to ameliorate the cause of the nuisance behavior.
Full Breakdown
Attleboro animal control addresses barking complaints when dogs bark excessively or continuously. Dog licensing is required through the town/city clerk per MGL c.140 §155. Dogs must be under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Residents should document incidents with dates, times, and recordings. Complaints are handled by the animal control officer. Persistent cases may proceed to hearing. MGL c.140 §157 allows selectmen/mayor to order restraint of nuisance dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules about barking dogs in Attleboro?
How do I file a noise complaint about a barking dog in Attleboro?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Attleboro
Compare Attleboro to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle barking dogs.