304 CMR 12.00: Forest and Parks Rules (State Parks)

304 CMR 12.00: Forest and Parks Rules (State Parks)

See especially section 12.08: Animals on Department Properties:

12.08: Animals on Department Properties

(1) No person shall bring a dog, cat or other animal into any State Forest, Park or Reservation except in areas and under conditions determined by the Director. The Director may designate areas where an animal shall be restrained within a cage or on a bridle, tether or leash not to exceed ten feet in length. All animals shall be kept in such control at all times when within the confines of the designated areas.

(2) No person shall leave any animal unattended while within the confines of any Department property.

(3) A person shall keep any animal under his or her control from interfering with any another park patron's enjoyment of Department property. A park patron?s enjoyment of Department property is not interfered with merely by a person interacting with any animal under his or her control in a customary manner for such animal, such as horseback riding. The Area Supervisor may direct that the animal be removed by the owner or handler.

(4) Except when the Director has issued a special use permit to the person, no person shall release any wild or domestic animal for the purpose of abandoning that animal in any area administered by the Department,.

(5) Tenants of the Department, who lease or rent realty or structures on lands administered by the Department are permitted to keep pets on the leased premises provided that the pets are confined by fence, cage, leash, or other suitable enclosure.

The species and quantity of pets which may be kept by tenants shall be at the discretion of the Director.

(6) While on Department property, any animal required by law to have a rabies vaccination must have proof of the vaccination.

(7) Violation of any of 304 CMR 12.00 may subject the animal(s) to removal by a dog officer or like official at the request of the Area Supervisor. Any and all costs incurred in such removal shall be the responsibility of the owner.

(8) Persons are responsible for the removal and proper disposal of feces of dogs or cats allowed in the following area types of Department property:

(a) Heritage Parks;

(b) Bicycle Paths;

(c) pool grounds;

(d) designated campsites;

(e) designated picnic areas

(f) rail trail; and

(f) boat ramps.

(9) No person shall feed geese or other waterfowl within 200 ft. of a designated swimming area.

12.09: Seeing Eye and Medical Support Dogs Allowed

Seeing eye dogs accompanying legally blind persons and dogs providing medical support when accompanying the persons whose needs they are trained to meet are allowed on Department property.

330 CMR 3.00: Shipment Of Dogs Into The Commonwealth

330 CMR 3.00: Shipment of Dogs into The Commonwealth

330 CMR 10.00: Prevention of the Spread of Rabies

330 CMR 10.00: Prevention of the Spread of Rabies

350 CMR 2.00 Use of Reservations and Parkways (Urban Parks District)

350 CMR 2.00 Use of Reservations and Parkways (Urban Parks District)

See especially section 2.01 (2) (g):

No person shall cause or permit any animal owned by him or in his custody or under his control, except a dog when restrained by a leash not exceeding seven feet in length, to roam or be at large in, on, or through any reservation or parkway, or to be hitched or tied to a fence, tree, bush, shrub, or any object or structure except as otherwise provided; nor ride or drive a horse or animal not well broken and under proper control and then only on such roadways or bridle paths where authorized; nor neglect or refuse to stop, place, change, or move the position of said horse or animal as directed by an Authorized Police Officer or MDC Ranger. Owners are required to properly dispose of their dog’s animal waste.