The Animal Control Officer provides domestic animal control services to the Community. The Animal Control Officer responds to citizen requests for services regarding animal bites, loose animals, barking dogs, injured animals, and other requests for service.

Animal control laws are strictly enforced in Lawrence. Emergency animal control problems should be reported to the police by calling 9-1-1, either the Animal Control Officer or a police officer will respond to your call. For non-emergencies, call animal control at 978-794-5856.

Information for Pet Owners

License your dog

Chapter 140 of the Massachusetts General requires that all dogs over 6 months old be licensed:

"All dogs shall be duly licensed as provided in Chapter 140 of the General Laws. An owner or keeper of a dog who fails to renew a dog license within twenty-one days after being notified that a previously issued license has expired shall be assessed a fee of ten dollars in addition to any other charges due for such license."

A license identifies your dog as yours, showing everyone your dog is not a homeless stray, that the owner cares enough to register the pet legally. Your dog’s personal data is kept on computer. Should your dog be found by an officer or private party, you can be notified as soon as possible. If your dog becomes accidentally injured and impounded, Animal Control guarantees emergency or life threatening treatment and stabilization of a sick or injured animal bearing a license tag. Local veterinarians are also more willing to invest emergency treatment in a sick or injured animal bearing a license tag.

A dog or cat license can be purchased at the City Clerk's office, 200 Common Street. License costs are $10. Please bring proof of current rabies vaccine and proof of neutering or spaying.

Noisy Animals

Section 6.04.100 of the Lawrence City Ordinances states:

No person who owns or keeps an animal shall allow such animal to become a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition, being a dangerous animal, excessive barking, or other disturbance, or that by such barking or other disturbance is a source of annoyance to any such person.

Few things in life are as annoying as having to listen to the constant bark, howl, whine or cry of another person’s dog. The noise from a barking can disrupt sleep, lower the quality of your leisure hours, disturb your work, and make being at home unenjoyable. The first reaction of many people faced with a barking dog problem is to call the authorities. Believe it or not, this should be the last route taken to resolve the problem. This problem has been looked at nationally and the conclusions reached have been uniformly the same: This is a neighborhood problem. Here are a few facts about the owners of barking dogs that may help you deal with what is really a neighborhood problem:

• The owner of a barking dog often doesn’t know the dog is barking. Owners may leave for work with a quiet dog in the back yard and return home to a quiet dog. The dog may only be barking because its owner is gone.
• The dog barking may be a comfort to the owner. Barking may tell the owner the dog is well and the property is protected. The owner may assume it gives the neighbor the same feeling.
• The owner may be desensitized to the barking. People that are around barking dogs all of the time learn to tune out the noise.
• The owner may assume that if it is daylight, everyone must be awake and it is okay to make noise. Owners may not think about people who sleep in the daytime, or that peace and quiet may be desired during normal working hours.
• The owners may assume that because they haven’t had anyone complain about the noise the dog is making, that the barking doesn’t bother anyone.

Owners of barking dogs falling into the above categories are best dealt with as neighbors. Letting the owner know, on a personal level, that the dog’s noise is disrupting your life can be very effective. People that do not first attempt to solve the problem as neighbors often begin long- term neighborhood feuds. Tell the person, very politely, in person, in writing or by phone exactly what the nature of the annoyance is. Communicate things such as "I can’t sleep"; "I can’t hear my television"; "I work nights and sleep days"; or "I can’t study because of the noise your dog is making". Neighborhood communication is a very important part of neighborhood security. Even that act of telling someone his or her dog is bothering you can further communication.

If these methods fail then you should call the Animal Control Officer. For immediate action at night or on the weekend you should notify the Police Department.

Restrain pets

Section 6.04.190 of the Lawrence City Ordinances requires that a person who owns a dog shall keep that animal under restraint at all times:

A. No person who owns or harbors a dog shall allow such dog to be in any public place, upon any public way, or in any place to which the public has access as invitees or licensees, inclusive of all city-owned property and properties under the authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are situated in the City of Lawrence, unless such dog is accompanied by a person of adequate age and ddiscretion properly to control its actions and such dog is restrained by a lead or chain of less than six feet that is of suitable proportion and strength to the dog being restrained.

Restraint means:

• Physical confinement, for example, as by leash, chain, rope, fence, or within a building.
• Under competent voice control which, if on the owner's property, requires that the owner be present, monitoring the dog's activities. If off the owner's property, the animal must be restrained.
• Under competent voice control when on the property of the owner and the owner is present with the animal and monitoring all of its activities.

Scoop the Poop

Section 6.01.130 of the Lawrence City Ordinances requires pet owners to "scoop up" after their pets, both on public places and on property owned by another.

A. The owner of every dog shall be responsible for the removal of any fecal matter deposited by the owner's animal(s) on his or her property, public walks, recreation areas or private property. "Owner" includes person(s) who possess or control the dog.

B. The owner or person(s) who possess or control the dog when appearing with the dog on any public walk, street, recreation area or private property shall possess the means of removal of any fecal matter left by such dog.

C. For purposes of this regulation, the means of removal shall include any tool, implement or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such fecal matter. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such fecal matter to a place suitable and regularly reserved for the disposal of human fecal matter, specifically reserved for the disposal of dog fecal matter, or otherwise designated as appropriate by the director of public health.

Dog droppings are a nuisance and a health hazard. They attract flies, spread disease, and dog waste is one of the worst causes of water pollution.

It’s important for pet owners to "scoop up" after Rover on bike trails or wherever Rover roams. Carry a supply of plastic bags to clean up after your dog, slip a bag over your hand and collect the droppings. Then pull the bag off of your hand so that the droppings are inside (like pulling off a sock cuff-first). Tie the bag shut and dispose of it in a trash can.

Lost and found

If you have lost your dog please contact Animal Control ASAP. If your pet becomes lost, don’t give up. How carefully you search and how persistent and resourceful you are can determine whether or not your pet will be found. Look closest to home first and ask for help. Ask everyone if they have seen your lost pet. Place ads in newspapers, offer a reward, post "lost" signs, check with local veterinarians, notify neighbors, and call the Animal Control Officer at 978-794-5856.

Pursuant to Mass. General Laws, Chapter 140 and Lawrence City Ordinance, you must show proof of a current rabies vaccine and also a current City Dog License to claim your dog. If your dog needs to be vaccinated, it can be done at an animal hospital, at the owners expense.

Owners will also be responsible to pay a daily boarding fee.

Spaying and Neutering

Reasons why you should have your pet spayed or neutered:

• It is the best solution to uncontrolled breeding and the tragic pet population problem. A spayed or neutered pet will never add to the tens of thousands of surplus puppies and kittens born each day for which there are no homes available.
• It is good for your pet. Spayed or neutered pets are healthier, happier and more affectionate. A female dog or cat that is spayed will never develop certain types of cancer. A male dog or cat that is neutered will be less likely to roam.
• It permits your pet to live a more natural life. Unspayed and unneutered pets can be subject to almost constant frustration because their mating habits have been changed by thousands of years of civilization. Pets that are spayed or neutered live a more natural existence, more closely akin to that of animals in the wild.
• It is good for your pets temperament. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.
• It is convenient for you. Spayed female pets never have "heat" periods. Male dogs or cats do not congregate in your yard during certain times. Neutered male pets are less likely to roam or get into fights.

Contact your local veterinarian to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Vaccinations

Massachusetts State Law mandates that rabies vaccine must be given to all dogs and cats which are over six months of age.

Diseases commonly vaccinated for in puppies include: canine distemper virus, Adenovirus 2 (upper respiratory disease virus, which cross protects for canine hepatitis), parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and parvo virus enteritis.

Kittens are routinely vaccinated for feline distemper, Rhinotracheitis and calicivirus or FDCVR vaccine. Some owners, especially of show cats or which have increased exposure to other cats, may also elect to vaccinate for pneumonitis, a respiratory disease caused by chlamydia. A new vaccine has recently become available to protect against Feline Leukemia virus.

Please contact your veterinarian for a vaccination program for your pet.

If your pet is bitten by a wild animal

If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, take your pet to a veterinarian within 24 hours. If the attacker is at high risk for rabies, for example, a raccoon, skunk, woodchuck, fox, or bat, handle your pet with gloves and wash any area which may have saliva from the attacker on it. Keep children away from the pet. These instructions apply whether or not your pet is vaccinated.

To prevent your pet from being bitten by another animal, keep pets under control at all times and in the house at night.

You can prevent children from being bitten by:

• keeping them away from dogs or cats that are eating anything;
• keeping them away from any strange animals;
• keeping them away from sick or injured animals;
• not allowing them to take a toy or ball away from an animal that is playing with it.

Animal bites to humans must be reported to the Animal Control Officer or the Board of Health if the skin is broken. If an animal bites another animal, you need only report this to a veterinarian.

Animal Bites

Every year in the U. S., animals bite more than a million people, most of them children; seriously injure thousands of people; and kill about 100 people. You can prevent many bites by knowing how to recognize the warning signs of an animal that is likely to bite. Avoid situations that provoke bites and defend yourself if you are attacked.

The warning signs of a dog likely to attack will be an aggressive posture with its hackles up, growling or barking, ears erect, body stiff or tense, stiff-legged stance with tail held high and possibly moving rapidly. The dog may also attack if afraid and will assume a fearful posture with ears back, body crouched, head held low, and tail tucked between their legs. Most animal "warning signs" are similar to the dog’s.

Never touch or approach an animal you don’t know to be friendly. Never threaten or tease any animal. Even a small dog or cat can inflict a painful bite. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly. Use soap and warm water and apply a sterile dressing. Seek immediate medical help. Ask the physician about a tetanus booster and/or rabies vaccination. Remember as many details as possible. Write down a description of the animal, time and location of the incident and try to remember where the dog went.

Massachusetts Health Laws require that all animal bites; especially dog bites, be reported to the Health Dept. Do not hesitate to make a report because the animal is yours or a friend's or relative's. Pets, including dogs, will not be taken away from their owners because of such a report, under normal circumstances. The animal will be quarantined for a ten-day period regardless of its current rabies vaccination status. The owner/keeper will be able to quarantine the animal at home during this period or in an approved boarding facility at the owner/keeper's expense.

Animal Complaints

Noise

Excessive animal noise is prohibited. Call Animal Control to report a noise problem. If an Animal Control Officer is not available, call the Lawrence Police at 978-794-5900.

Bites and aggressive animals

All animal bites and aggressive animal behavior should be reported to the Police by calling 911.

Cruelty to an animal

Animal Control Officers enforce State and local cruelty laws. Call 9-1-1 if you witness cruelty to an animal. Call Animal Control at 978-794-5856 when you observe:

• Neglect of an animal
• Unsanitary conditions
• Unrestrained dog(s)
• Problems with cats
• Injured wildlife

Injured Wildlife

Although Animal Control Officers do not remove healthy wildlife from property, any questions about wildlife will be answered, and Animal Control Officers will respond to assist or remove injured wildlife.

Adoption of Pets

Dogs, cats and other pets are available for adoption at the Animal Shelter from Monday through Saturday by appointment only. Please contact us by calling the shelter directly.

A legally binding adoption contract must be signed agreeing to humanely house and treat the animal, have the animal spayed/neutered and other reasonable rules concerned with the welfare of the animal. An adoption fee of $35.00 for dogs and cats is charged as well as an additional $30.00 spay/neuter deposit (which will be returned upon proof that your adopted pet has been spayed/neutered within 30 days of the adoption date).

All family members are required to know about the adoption of a pet in a family.

Contact Information

Animal Control Officers work Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 9 pm, excluding holidays.

Animal Shelter location

The shelter, at the Essex County Correctional Alternative Center on Commonwealth Drive. Please call in advance for an appointment.

Related Pages and Documents

ASPCA
MSPCA
Petfinders.com Animal Adoption