Bill > S1309

This bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to increase kennel safety in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. It amends the definition of a "personal kennel" to be 5 or more dogs, 6 months old or older, owned or kept under single ownership for private personal use. 2. It adds a new definition for a "personal breeder kennel" - a pack or collection of 3 or more intact female dogs on a single premise, kept for the purpose of breeding and selling the offspring. 3. It requires the Department of Agricultural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations for commercial boarding or training kennels, as well as commercial and personal breeder kennels, to ensure proper housing, care, and safety standards. 4. It establishes a committee to advise the Commissioner on the new kennel regulations and review them annually. 5. It makes changes to kennel licensing requirements, including mandatory inspections prior to issuing or renewing a license. 6. It allows for fines from kennel violations to be deposited into a Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund, rather than reverting to the General Fund. Overall, the bill aims to improve oversight and standards for kennels in Massachusetts to better protect the health and safety of the animals housed there.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1309