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Massachusetts Statutes

§ 171 — Liability to city or town of owner or keeper of dog

Massachusetts § 171
JurisdictionMassachusetts
Part IADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
Title XXPUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER
Ch. 140LICENSES

This text of Massachusetts § 171 (Liability to city or town of owner or keeper of dog) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 171 (2026).

Text

Section 171. The owner or keeper of a dog which has done damage to livestock or fowl shall be liable in tort to the city or town for all damages so done which the mayor, aldermen or board of selectmen have ordered to be paid as provided in this chapter.

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Nearby Sections

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Loss by guest; negligence and violation of regulations as defense
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Liability to city or town of owner or keeper of dog
§ 173
Ordinances and by-laws relating to animals
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Violation of dog control laws; non-criminal disposition
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Recovery of penalties
§ 174A
Euthanizing of dogs or cats by barbiturates
§ 174B
Restraint of dogs in public highway rest areas; penalty
§ 174D
Research institutions; license to use dogs or cats; rules and regulations
§ 174D 1/2
Reasonable effort to facilitate adoption of dogs and cats upon conclusion of study; assessment of suitability; duty of care and liability
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Chaining or tethering dog; confinement; restrictions; penalty
§ 174F
Confinement of animal in a motor vehicle causing exposure to extreme heat or cold; protection of animal by animal control or law enforcement officer or fire fighter; penalties
§ 174G
Commercial boarding or training kennels; rulemaking; injury reports; inspections
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Cat declawing procedures prohibited; exceptions; reporting; penalties; enforcement
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Registration of stallion for breeding purposes; certificate; penalty
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Licensing for billiards, pool or sippio table or bowling alley; public hearing
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Bluebook (online)
Massachusetts § 171, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/ma/140/171.