§ 137A — Kennel licenses

[ Subsections (a) and (b) effective until December 19, 2024. For text effective December 19, 2024, see below.]Section 137A. (a) A person maintaining a kennel shall obtain a kennel license. An owner or keeper of less than 4 dogs, 3 months old or older, who does not maintain a kennel may elect to secure a kennel license in lieu of licensing the dogs under section 137 and shall be subject to this section, sections 137B and 137C and so much of section 141 as it relates to violations of this section to the same extent as though the owner or keeper were maintaining a kennel. In the case of an applicant for initial licensure and in the case of an applicant for license renewal, a licensing authority shall not issue a kennel license until a kennel has passed inspection by an animal control officer.(b) A kennel license shall be in lieu of any other license for a dog kept at a kennel during any portion of the period for which the kennel license is valid. A kennel licensee shall cause each dog kept in its kennel to wear, while it is at large, a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which a tag shall be securely attached. The tag shall have inscribed upon it the number of the kennel license, the name of the city or town issuing the license and the year of issue. Tags shall be furnished to the owner or keeper by the licensing authority in quantities not less than the number of dogs kept in the kennel. The issuing city or town shall determine the period of time for which a kennel license shall be valid, including the date of issuance of the license through the date on which the license expires, inclusive, and shall further determine the fee for the issuance and renewal of the license. To determine the amount of the license fee for a kennel, a dog under the age of 6 months shall not be counted in the number of dogs kept in a kennel. The name and address of the owner of each dog kept in a kennel, if other than the person maintaining the kennel, shall be kept at the kennel and available for inspection by an animal control officer, natural resource officer, deputy natural resource officer, fish and game warden or police officer.[ Subsections (a) and (b) as amended by 2024, 213, Sec. 3 effective December 19, 2024. For text effective until December 19, 2024, see above.](a) A person maintaining a kennel shall obtain a kennel license. A licensing authority shall issue, suspend, renew and revoke kennel licenses as specified in this chapter and any other law. In the case of an applicant for initial licensure or license renewal, a licensing authority shall deny a kennel license until a kennel has passed inspection by an animal control officer.(b)(1) The issuing city or town shall determine the period of time for which a kennel license shall be valid, including the date of issuance of the license through the date on which the license expires, inclusive, and shall further determine the fee for the issuance and renewal of a license; provided, however, that in determining the amount of the license fee for a kennel, a dog under the age of 3 months shall not be counted in the number of dogs kept in a kennel. The name and address of the owner of each dog kept in a kennel, if other than the person maintaining the kennel, shall be kept at the kennel and available for inspection by an animal control officer, natural resource officer, deputy natural resource officer, fish and game warden or police officer. A kennel that owns or keeps a dog over the age of 6 months shall comply with section 145B.(2) A commercial boarding or training kennel shall maintain records of individual dog licenses, as required in section 137, for all dogs in its care.(c) The licensing authority shall issue a kennel license without charge to a domestic charitable corporation incorporated exclusively for the purpose of protecting animals from cruelty, neglect or abuse or for the relief of suffering.[ Subsection (d) effective until December 19, 2024. For text effective December 19, 2024, see below.](d) A person who violates this section shall be assessed a fine of $500 for a first offense and a fine of not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.[ Subsection (d) as amended by 2024, 213, Sec. 4 effective December 19, 2024. For text effective until December 19, 2024, see above.](d) The licensing authority shall specify on the license the type of kennel and the maximum number of animals that may be maintained by the licensee. Such number shall be determined by the licensing authority and the animal control officer following the required inspection. For commercial boarding or training kennels, the number of animals shall be determined following the required inspection and in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to section 174G to ensure the property can support the number of animals while ensuring their health and safety.[ Subsections (e) and (f) as added by 2024, 213, Sec. 4 effective December 19, 2024.](e)(1) Annually, not later than June 1, the licensing authority shall send to the department a list of all kennels and their addresses licensed by the city or town pursuant to this section.(2) The department shall annually review the list of kennels submitted as required by this section to evaluate the compliance of municipalities issuing kennel licenses in accordance with this chapter.(f) A person who violates this section shall be assessed a fine by the licensing authority of $500 for a first offense and a fine of not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.