Everett, Massachusetts

Section 3-1 Authority and Purpose/Definitions.

This article is adopted pursuant to the authority of MGL c.140, §§136A to 174F, inclusive, and any other relevant statutes and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The purpose of this article is to establish regulations for the keeping of dogs and the control of animals in the City of Everett. The definitions of words and terms used in this article shall be as set forth in MGL c.140, §136A unless the context requires otherwise:

[…]

“Personal kennel” means a pack or collection of more than 4 dogs, 3 months old or older, owned or kept under single ownership, for private personal use; provided, however, that breeding of personally owned dogs may take place for the purpose of improving, exhibiting or showing the breed or for use in legal sporting activity or for other personal reasons; provided further, that selling, trading, bartering or distributing such breeding from a personal kennel shall be to other breeders or individuals by private sale only and not to wholesalers, brokers or pet shops; provided further, that a personal kennel shall not sell, trade, barter or distribute a dog not bred from its personally-owned dog; and provided further, that dogs temporarily housed at a personal kennel, in conjunction with an animal shelter or rescue registered with the Department, may be sold, traded, bartered or distributed if the transfer is not for profit.

Section 3-10 License Period.

Any person owning, harboring or having custody (keeper) or control of a dog shall license said dog annually for the period beginning January 1st of each year. Renewal of licenses must be obtained by March 15th of the following year. If a dog remains unlicensed after March 15th, the owner shall be fined the sum of $5.00 in addition to the original license fee.

Section 3-12 License Fees.

Fees for dog licenses, except as otherwise provided, shall be as follows:

(a) Ten dollars ($10.00) for every spayed or neutered dog; or

(b) Fifteen dollars ($15.00) for every intact (unspayed or unneutered) dog.

There shall be no licensing fee for “service dogs” as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or regulations promulgated thereunder. Proof of spaying or neutering shall be shown at the time of licensing.

Section 3-14 Kennel Licenses – Fees.

The fee for each kennel license shall be as follows:

(a) Fifty dollars for kennels with four dogs or less;

(b) One hundred dollars for kennels with five to 10 dogs;

[…]

Section 3-15 Kennel Inspections.

Regular kennel inspections shall be conducted no less than twice each year by the animal control officer. All such inspection records shall be kept on file at the police department.

Section 3-17 Adoption Requirements and Conditions/Disposition.

(a) A dog which has been kept by the animal control officer or its agent or designee for 10 days and remains unclaimed shall become available for adoption. A dog adopted from a pound or shelter may be sold for not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Monies so received shall be paid forthwith to the city treasurer/collector. A condition of sale, before delivery of any dog so sold, shall require the purchaser to license the dog and certify in writing the intention to spay or neuter the animal within 90 days.