reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 140 § 156 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 156 - Killing Dogs Under Certain Conditions; Wounded Dogs

Section 156. Any person may kill a dog which suddenly assaults him while he is peaceably standing, walking or riding outside the enclosure of its owner or keeper; and any person may kill a dog found out of the enclosure of its owner or keeper and not under his immediate care in the act of worrying, wounding or killing persons, live stock or fowls, and if any person shall kill or attempt to kill a dog so found, and in the act of worrying, wounding or killing persons, live stock or fowls, he shall not be held liable for cruelty to the dog unless it shall be shown that he intended to be cruel to the dog, or that he acted with a wanton and reckless disregard for the suffering of the dog. A person killing or wounding a dog under the conditions set out in this section shall promptly report to the owner, animal control officer or police officer such killing or wounding. Prompt killing of a wounded dog, or a prompt report to the owner or to a dog officer of the wounding of the dog, shall be considered evidence of sufficient regard for the suffering of the dog.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 157a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 157a - Non-Compliance of Dog Owner or Keeper With Order; Transferring Ownership or Selling of Dangerous Dog

Section 157A. (a) An owner or keeper of a dog who fails to comply with an order of a hearing authority or district court shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 60 days in a jail or house of correction, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days in a jail or house of correction.  (b) No person over the age of 17 who has actual knowledge that a dog has been deemed dangerous under section 157 shall permit a child under the age of 17 to own, possess or have the care or custody of such dog.  (c) No person shall transfer ownership or possession of a dog which such person knows, or reasonably should have known, has been deemed dangerous under section 157 or offer such dangerous dog for sale or breed without informing the recipient of the dog of the finding of dangerousness.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 158 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 158 - Euthanizing Unrestrained Dogs or Dogs in Wild State

Section 158. A police officer, constable or animal control officer may capture, detain or, in the case of a threat to public safety, euthanize a dog in a humane manner if found to be in violation of an order of a hearing authority or a district court and may euthanize a dog, in a humane manner, if it is living in a wild state.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 159 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 159 - Treble Damages for Injuries Caused by Dogs Ordered to Be Restrained

Section 159. If a hearing authority or a district court has deemed a dog to be a dangerous dog and such dog wounds a person or worries, wounds or kills any livestock or fowl, the owner or keeper of the dog shall be liable in tort to the person injured by the dog for 3 times the amount of damages sustained by such person.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 160 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 160 - Euthanizing Dogs That Have Worried or Killed Stock or Fowl; Bond

Section 160. The mayor of a city, the selectmen of a town, or their agents who are authorized in writing, to act in such mayor or selectmen's stead may, after written notice to the owner or keeper of a dog, enter upon the premises of the owner or keeper known to such persons to have worried or killed livestock or fowl and then and there euthanize such dog in a humane manner unless such owner or keeper whose premises are entered for that purpose shall give a bond in the sum of $200, with sufficient sureties, conditioned that the dog shall be restrained for 12 months next ensuing. If the owner or keeper of the dog declares an intention to give such a bond, the selectmen, chief of police, or the agent of the selectmen or chief, as the case may be, shall allow the owner or keeper 7 days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in which to procure and prepare such bond and to present it, or to file it with the clerk of the town or city in which the owner or keeper resides.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 161 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 161 - Damages Caused by Dogs and Paid by City or Town; Compensation for Appraisers

Section 161. Whoever suffers loss by the worrying, maiming or killing of such person's livestock or fowl by a dog outside the premises of the owner or keeper of the dog, may, if the damage is done in a city, inform the animal control officer and may, if the damage is done in a town, inform the chair of the board of selectmen of the town or, if the chairman is absent or ill, any of the selectmen. The officer, chair or selectman shall proceed to the premises where the damage was done to determine whether the damage was inflicted by a dog and, if so determined, appraise the amount of damage if it does not exceed $100. If in the opinion of the officer, chair or selectman, the amount of damage exceeds $100, the damage shall be appraised, on oath, by 3 persons, 1 of whom shall be the officer, chair or selectman, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the person alleged to be damaged and 1 shall be appointed by the other 2. Within 10 days thereafter, the appraisers shall consider and include in their appraisal the labor and time necessarily to be expended to find and collect the livestock or fowl injured or separated and the value of those lost or otherwise damaged by the dog. The officer, chair or selectman shall return a certificate of the damages found to the treasurer of the city or town in which the damage was done within 10 days after the appraisal is completed. The treasurer shall immediately submit the appraisal to the city or town clerk who, within 30 days, shall examine all bills for damages. The city or town clerk may summons the appraisers or, upon the request of an interested party, shall summons the appraisers and all parties interested and make such investigation as the clerk shall deem proper. The city or town clerk shall issue an order upon the treasurer of the city or town for such amounts, if any, determined to be just and shall notify all interested parties of the decision. The treasurer shall pay all orders drawn upon the treasurer in full, for the above purpose and payments made shall be charged to the city or town.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 161a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 161a - Damages Caused by Dogs Not Reimbursable; Amount of Awards

Section 161A. No owner of live stock or fowls shall be reimbursed for damages inflicted by his own dog or dogs, nor shall he be reimbursed for any damage by any dog if, at the time such damage was inflicted, he was himself the owner or keeper of an unlicensed dog of the age of three months or older. No reimbursement shall be made on account of damages by a dog to deer, elk, cottontail rabbits, northern hares, pheasants, quail, partridge and other live stock or fowls determined by the department of fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement to be wild unless they are kept by, or under permit from, said department, nor unless they shall be kept in proper houses or in suitable enclosed yards. No reimbursement shall be made for damage by a dog to dogs, cats and other pets. Awards shall in no case exceed the fair cash market value of such live stock or fowls.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 163 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 163 - Notice to Euthanize Dog Which Has Caused Damage

Section 163. If the mayor, aldermen or board of selectmen determines, after notice to parties interested and a hearing, the identity of the owner or keeper of a dog which is found to have worried, maimed or killed livestock or fowl, thereby causing damages for which the owner of the livestock or fowl may become entitled to compensation from the city or town under section 161, the mayor, aldermen or selectmen shall serve upon the owner or keeper of such dog a notice directing the owner or keeper, within 24 hours, to euthanize the dog in a humane manner or restrain the dog.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 164 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 164 - Failure to Euthanize, Confine or Restrain Dog After Notice

Section 164. A person who owns or keeps a dog and who has received such notice under section 163 and does not, within 24 hours, euthanize the dog or thereafter keep it on the owner's or keeper's premises or under the immediate restraint and control of some person, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 and a police officer, constable or animal control officer may euthanize the dog in a humane manner if it is found outside the enclosure of its owner or keeper and not under the owner or keeper's immediate care.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 165 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 165 - Investigation of Damages Caused by Dogs; Settlement; Action Against Owner or Keeper; Payments Over to City or Town Treasurer

Section 165. A city or town may investigate any case of damage done by a dog of which the chair of the board of selectmen, mayor or animal control officer shall have been informed as provided in section 161. If the chair, mayor or animal control officer believes that the evidence is sufficient to sustain an action against the owner or keeper of the dog and believes that such owner or keeper is able to satisfy any judgment recovered in an action, the chair, mayor or animal control officer shall bring the action unless the owner or keeper pays the amount in settlement of the damage as the chair, mayor or officer deems reasonable before the action is brought. The action may be brought in the name of the chair, mayor or animal control officer prosecuting the action and the chair, mayor or animal control officer shall have the same powers and authority as animal control officers appointed under section 151 and acting under sections 136A to 174E, inclusive. All damages received or recovered under this section shall be paid over to the city or town treasurer.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 166 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 166 - Election of Remedy by Person Damaged

Section 166. The owner of live stock or fowls which have been worried, maimed or killed by dogs shall have his election to proceed under section one hundred and sixty-one or sections one hundred and fifty-seven to the hundred and fifty-nine, inclusive; but, having signified his election by proceeding in either mode, he shall not have the other remedy.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 167 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 167 - Ordering Dogs to Be Restrained; Euthanizing Unrestrained Dogs

Section 167. The mayor, aldermen or board of selectmen may order that all dogs shall be restrained from running at large during such times as shall be prescribed by the order. Once passed, a certified copy of the order shall be posted in at least 2 public places in the city or town or, if a daily newspaper is published in the city or town, by publishing a copy once in that newspaper. Following publication, the mayor, aldermen or board of selectmen may issue a warrant to a police officer or constable in a city or town, who shall, not sooner than 24 hours after the publication of the notice, euthanize all dogs in a humane manner that are found running at large contrary to the order. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a police officer or constable may, in the officer's or constable's discretion, hold any such dog for not more than 7 days. If the owner of the dog claims it and pays to the officer or constable a penalty of $40 for each day that the dog has been held, the dog shall be returned to its owner. The amount shall be paid over to the city or town.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 168 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 168 - Service of Order to Muzzle or Restrain Dogs; Penalty

Section 168. The aldermen, board of selectmen or mayor may cause service of such order to be made upon the owner or keeper of the dog by causing a certified copy thereof to be delivered to him; and if he refuses or neglects for twelve hours thereafter to muzzle or restrain such dog as so required, he shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 169 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 169 - Penalty on Officer; Report of Refusal or Neglect of Officer to Perform Duties

Section 169. A city or town officer who refuses or willfully neglects to perform the duties imposed upon the officer by this chapter relating to dogs shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100, which shall be paid to the city or town. Whoever is aggrieved by such refusal or neglect may report the same forthwith to the district attorney of his district.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 171 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 171 - Liability to City or Town of Owner or Keeper of Dog

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.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 173 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 173 - Ordinances and By-Laws Relating to Animals

Section 173. A city or town may make additional ordinances or by-laws relative to the licensing and control of animals not inconsistent with sections 136A to 174F, inclusive.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 173a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 173a - Violation of Dog Control Laws; Non-Criminal Disposition

Section 173A. Whenever a complaint is sought in a district court for a violation of an ordinance or by-law, made under the provisions of section one hundred and seventy-three, the clerk shall send a written notice to the person complained against stating that such a complaint has been sought and will issue unless such person appears before such clerk and confesses the offense either personally or through an agent duly authorized in writing, or by mailing to such clerk, with the notice the fine provided herein. The fine for the first offense committed by a person shall be $50. The fine for a second offense shall be $100. The fine for a third offense shall be $300. For a fourth or subsequent offense, the fine shall be $500 and the municipality may order the animal spayed or neutered. Payment shall be made only by money order or check. Notwithstanding the foregoing procedure and schedule of fines, but subject to all other provisions of this section, a city or town may, by ordinance or by-law, provide for an alternative procedure and a different schedule of fines; provided, however, that the fines shall not be lower than those stated in this section. Notwithstanding this section, a municipality may seek a remedy under section 157 for a nuisance dog.  Proceedings under this section shall not be deemed criminal; and no person notified to appear before the clerk of a district court as provided herein shall be required to report to any probation officer, and no record of the case shall be entered in the probation records.  If a person notified to appear, as hereinbefore provided, fails to appear or pay the fine within twenty-one days of the sending of the notice, or having appeared, does not desire to avail himself of the procedure established by this section, the clerk shall issue the complaint and the procedure established for criminal cases shall be followed.  If any person fails to appear in accordance with the summons issued upon such complaint, the clerk of the court shall send such person, by registered mail, return receipt requested, a notice that the complaint is pending and that, if the person fails to appear within twenty-one days from the sending of such notice, a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 174 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 174 - Recovery of Penalties

Section 174. All fines and penalties provided in the preceding sections relating to dogs may be recovered before a district court in the county where the offence was committed.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 174a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 174a - Euthanizing of Dogs or Cats by Barbiturates

Section 174A. A dog or cat whose killing is authorized under this chapter shall be euthanized only by the administration of barbiturates in a manner deemed acceptable by the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia or as otherwise allowed in section 151A.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 174b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 174b - Restraint of Dogs in Public Highway Rest Areas; Penalty

Section 174B. Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain said dog by a chain or leash when in an officially designated public highway rest area. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 174d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 174d - Research Institutions; License to Use Dogs or Cats; Rules and Regulations

Section 174D. (a) No research institution shall employ dogs or cats in scientific investigation, experiment or instruction or for the testing of drugs or medicines without having first been issued a license therefor under this section by the commissioner of public health. A research institution desiring to obtain a license shall make application to the commissioner of public health. On receipt of such application the commissioner of public health shall make or cause to be made such investigation as he may deem necessary to determine whether the public interest would be served by the issue of such license. The commissioner of public health shall issue such license unless, after notice and hearing, he finds that the research institution, by reason of its standards, facilities, practices or activities, is not a fit and proper institution to receive such license, and that the issue thereof is not in the public interest. Each research institution licensed under this chapter shall before such license issues pay to the commissioner of public health a license fee of fifty dollars. Each license shall expire on June thirtieth next following the date of issue. The commissioner of public health shall annually renew each license upon the application of the licensee unless, after notice and hearing, he finds that by reason of the standards, facilities, practices or activities of the licensee such renewal is not in the public interest. The commissioner of public health may, after notice and hearing, cancel, suspend or revoke any license if he finds that by reason of the standards, facilities, practices or activities of the licensee the continuation of such license is not in the public interest.  Whoever knowingly violates any of the provisions of this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each offense. The superior court department of the trial court shall have authority to enjoin any violation of this section or to take such other actions as equity or justice may require.  (b) The commissioner of public health may make such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this section, necessary to carry out its purposes, and may alter, rescind or add to any rules or regulations previously made. The commissioner of public health or an agent designated by him may, in connection with the granting, continuance or renewal of a license, visit and inspect the animal research and care facilities of any licensee or of any research institution which has applied for a license. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Rescue League of Boston may be designated as agents of the commissioner of public health. For purposes of this paragraph the term ''animal'' shall refer to the dog and cat specifically and all other sentient creatures except humans.
MA Gen L ch 140 § 176 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order|Chapter 140 - Licenses|Section 176 - Registration of Stallion for Breeding Purposes; Certificate; Penalty

Section 176. The owner or keeper of a stallion for breeding purposes shall, before advertising the service thereof, file a certificate of the name, color, age, size and pedigree, as fully as obtainable, of said stallion, and of the name of the person by whom he was bred, with the clerk of the city or town where said stallion is owned or kept, who shall, upon payment of the fee provided by clause (72) of section thirty-four of chapter two hundred and sixty-two, record the same in a book to be kept for that purpose. Whoever neglects to make and file such certificate shall recover no compensation for the services of his stallion, and whoever knowingly and wilfully makes a false certificate shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars.