H 4675
An Act preventing animal cruelty
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to prevent animal cruelty in Massachusetts by establishing a process for determining and addressing animal neglect. It defines ‘animal neglect’ and grants enforcing authorities the ability to petition the court for orders requiring specific care for animals or authorizing their removal if neglect is found. The court can then order the animal’s forfeiture, humane euthanasia, or require the person responsible for the animal’s care to provide necessary care, potentially including restrictions on future animal ownership.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘animal neglect’ as failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, or keeping an animal in an unsanitary environment.
- Allows enforcing authorities (law enforcement, animal control, etc.) to petition the court for orders regarding animal care.
- Establishes a court process to determine if animal neglect exists, considering past investigations.
- The court can order the animal’s forfeiture, humane euthanasia, or require the caretaker to provide care.
- The court can order the removal of other animals in the caretaker’s possession and prohibit future animal ownership.
- Requires 3 days’ notice to the animal’s custodian before a court hearing.
- The court may consider evidence of past investigations related to the person’s care and treatment of animals.
- The court’s decisions must be in the animal’s best interest.
Who is affected
- Animal owners
- Animal control officers
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Cosponsors
Adam J. Scanlon
Adrian C. Madaro
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
Brian M. Ashe
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Bill H.4675 194th (Current)
An Act preventing animal cruelty
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on the Judiciary Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4675
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 11/3/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on The Judiciary |
| 11/3/2025 | House | New draft of H1934 |
| 11/3/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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