There are a number of bills pending in Massachusetts that will affect animals either positively or negatively.

We ask you to contact you state representative and senator and voice your opinion. Whether a bill is a House or Senate bill, it will be voted on by both bodies so always contact both your senator and your representative.

Hunting/Trapping Bills

Support S. 860. An Act to Prohibit Internet Hunting. Sponsor: Senator Creedon. Internet hunting involves a click and shoot mechanism that operates like a computer assisted Internet hunting game, but actually kills animals. People who pay a fee are allowed to point and shoot a rifle via remote control. The remote control is linked to a platform with a rifle (which could be located in any state) and camera that is remotely aimed at animals. The proposed bill would make it illegal to hunt via an internet connection or operate a physical or internet site where this activity is conducted. Similar measures have been passed in 14 states.

Support H. 890. An Act Relative to Hunting or Trapping on Private Land. Sponsor: Representative Martin Walsh. The burden is currently placed on property owners to post a sign if they do not want hunters to come on their property. This bill would change the burden, so that hunters must obtain written permission. This bill was filed based on concerns by individuals about trespassing on private property and ability for families to feel safe enjoying their property.

Support S. 540. Relating to Wildlife Management Commission. Sponsor: Senator Resor. This bill will create a commission to evaluate and recommend methods to wildlife managers and the public to successfully manage and co-exist with beaver, muskrat, coyote and moose.

Support H. 831. Relating to the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Sponsor: Representative Douglas Peterson. This bill would make the DFW board advisory, and transfer decision-making power to the Commissioner rather than the Board in many instances.

Oppose H. 762. An Act Relative to Property Damage Caused by Beaver. Sponsor: Representative Greene. This bill would allow a “pilot program” that would allow most counties in the Commonwealth to use the body-gripping conibear trap to capture beaver.

Oppose H. 834. An Act Safeguarding our Natural Resources. Sponsor: Representative George Peterson.Would allow the use of the body-gripping conibear trap for recreational trapping.

Oppose H. 761. An Act Relating to the Capture of Coyotes. Sponsor: Representative Greene. This bill, expands the use of padded leghold traps for capturing coyote (pursuant to the health or safety exception) by allowing the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife to authorize this use (currently the state and federal departments of health can already do this).

Oppose H. 749. An Act Expanding the Powers of the Director of Wildlife and Fisheries. Sponsor: Representative Frost. This bill would give additional authority to the DFW and allow them to permit hunting on Sundays throughout the Commonwealth.

Oppose H. 2315. Relating to Hunting on Sundays. Sponsor: Representative Gobi. This bill would allow hunting on Sundays throughout the Commonwealth.

Oppose H. 754. Relating to the Moose Population. Sponsor: Representative Gobi. This bill would allow a moose hunting season to be established in Massachusetts.

Oppose H. 479. Relating to Conservation of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Sponsor: Senator Brewer. This bill would give exclusive authority to the state DFW over the taking, possession and management of wildlife and inland fisheries. This bill would remove the ability of any political subdivision (city/towns and their conservation commissions, etc.) to enact any bylaws and regulate activities (such as hunting, trapping) on municipal land.

Oppose H. 744. Relating to Deer Hunting. Sponsor: Representative Fagan. This bill would allow deer hunting on the Saturday and Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving.

Oppose H. 836. Relating to Further Defining the Term “Domesticated Animal” Concerning Animal Cruelty. Sponsor: Representative George Peterson. This would prevent the MSPCA and the ARL of Boston from enforcing the animal cruelty statutes as they pertain to wildlife.

Animals in Entertainment Bills

Support H. 320. An Act to Protect Dogs. Sponsor: Representative Sciortino. Bans commercial dog racing as of 6/1/09; establishes Greyhound Workers' Re-Training and Support Fund.

Support S. 2002. An Act Relating to the Treatment of Elephants. Sponsor: Senator Hedlund. The bill would prohibit any person who houses, possesses or travels with elephants (with some exemptions) to use any implement that would result in physical harm or to keep the elephants constantly restrained by chain or similar device. For example, the bullhook (or ankus) which is a club made of wood, metal, or other substantial material, with a sharp steel hook and metal poker at one end is commonly used to train an elephant.

Support H. 1529. An Act Related to Being a Spectator at an Exhibition of Animal Fighting. Sponsor: Representative Kafka. This bill would increase the penalty for those arrested for being present at an animal fight. Current law imposes a fine of up to $250 and/or 30 days in jail. Nationally, 46 other states have stricter penalties than Massachusetts for those convicted of this crime. This act would provide felony level provisions imposing sentences of up to 5 years in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.

Support H. 1527. An Act Prohibiting the Sale or Possession of Depictions of Animal Cruelty. Sponsor: Representative Kafka. This bill would make illegal the possession of various mediums that contained video, sound recordings or photographs of animals being tortured, tormented or victimized as a means of entertainment. It would also prohibit the sale and marketing of those depictions. Recently, on an evening news broadcast, an individual was exposed on the North Shore who was selling videos of illegal animal fights that he either created himself or those that he purchased for resale. Passage of this act would levy misdemeanor penalties against those convicted.

Companion Animal Bills

Support H.1546. An Act to Relating to Pets and Abuse Prevention. Sponsor: Representative Koutoujian. The research documenting the link between animal abuse and violence toward humans is increasing. A coalition in Massachusetts that consists of professionals in both animal protection and domestic violence have come together to educate others about this "link," and to create programs and promote legislation that addresses this relationship in order to stop the cycle of violence. Following similar laws in Vermont, Maine and New York, this bill would specifically permit the inclusion of pets in abuse prevention orders.

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The Issues Farmed Animals Lab Animals Entertainment Animals "Pets" Wildlife MARC Campaigns Animal Testing Meat & the Environment Harvard Primate Labs Braintree Geese Japanese Dolphins	There are a number of bills pending in Massachusetts that will affect animals either positively or negatively. We ask you to contact you state representative and senator and voice your opinion. Whether a bill is a House or Senate bill, it will be voted on by both bodies so always contact both your senator and your representative. Find your legislators View Senate bill wording View House bill wording Track any bill's history Hunting/Trapping Bills Support S. 860. An Act to Prohibit Internet Hunting. Sponsor: Senator Creedon. Internet hunting involves a click and shoot mechanism that operates like a computer assisted Internet hunting game, but actually kills animals. People who pay a fee are allowed to point and shoot a rifle via remote control. The remote control is linked to a platform with a rifle (which could be located in any state) and camera that is remotely aimed at animals. The proposed bill would make it illegal to hunt via an internet connection or operate a physical or internet site where this activity is conducted. Similar measures have been passed in 14 states. Support H. 890. An Act Relative to Hunting or Trapping on Private Land. Sponsor: Representative Martin Walsh. The burden is currently placed on property owners to post a sign if they do not want hunters to come on their property. This bill would change the burden, so that hunters must obtain written permission. This bill was filed based on concerns by individuals about trespassing on private property and ability for families to feel safe enjoying their property. Support S. 540. Relating to Wildlife Management Commission. Sponsor: Senator Resor. This bill will create a commission to evaluate and recommend methods to wildlife managers and the public to successfully manage and co-exist with beaver, muskrat, coyote and moose. Support H. 831. Relating to the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Sponsor: Representative Douglas Peterson. This bill would make the DFW board advisory, and transfer decision-making power to the Commissioner rather than the Board in many instances. Oppose H. 762. An Act Relative to Property Damage Caused by Beaver. Sponsor: Representative Greene. This bill would allow a “pilot program” that would allow most counties in the Commonwealth to use the body-gripping conibear trap to capture beaver. Oppose H. 834. An Act Safeguarding our Natural Resources. Sponsor: Representative George Peterson.Would allow the use of the body-gripping conibear trap for recreational trapping. Oppose H. 761. An Act Relating to the Capture of Coyotes. Sponsor: Representative Greene. This bill, expands the use of padded leghold traps for capturing coyote (pursuant to the health or safety exception) by allowing the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife to authorize this use (currently the state and federal departments of health can already do this). Oppose H. 749. An Act Expanding the Powers of the Director of Wildlife and Fisheries. Sponsor: Representative Frost. This bill would give additional authority to the DFW and allow them to permit hunting on Sundays throughout the Commonwealth. Oppose H. 2315. Relating to Hunting on Sundays. Sponsor: Representative Gobi. This bill would allow hunting on Sundays throughout the Commonwealth. Oppose H. 754. Relating to the Moose Population. Sponsor: Representative Gobi. This bill would allow a moose hunting season to be established in Massachusetts. Oppose H. 479. Relating to Conservation of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Sponsor: Senator Brewer. This bill would give exclusive authority to the state DFW over the taking, possession and management of wildlife and inland fisheries. This bill would remove the ability of any political subdivision (city/towns and their conservation commissions, etc.) to enact any bylaws and regulate activities (such as hunting, trapping) on municipal land. Oppose H. 744. Relating to Deer Hunting. Sponsor: Representative Fagan. This bill would allow deer hunting on the Saturday and Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving. Oppose H. 836. Relating to Further Defining the Term “Domesticated Animal” Concerning Animal Cruelty. Sponsor: Representative George Peterson. This would prevent the MSPCA and the ARL of Boston from enforcing the animal cruelty statutes as they pertain to wildlife. Animals in Entertainment Bills Support H. 320. An Act to Protect Dogs. Sponsor: Representative Sciortino. Bans commercial dog racing as of 6/1/09; establishes Greyhound Workers' Re-Training and Support Fund. Support S. 2002. An Act Relating to the Treatment of Elephants. Sponsor: Senator Hedlund. The bill would prohibit any person who houses, possesses or travels with elephants (with some exemptions) to use any implement that would result in physical harm or to keep the elephants constantly restrained by chain or similar device. For example, the bullhook (or ankus) which is a club made of wood, metal, or other substantial material, with a sharp steel hook and metal poker at one end is commonly used to train an elephant. Support H. 1529. An Act Related to Being a Spectator at an Exhibition of Animal Fighting. Sponsor: Representative Kafka. This bill would increase the penalty for those arrested for being present at an animal fight. Current law imposes a fine of up to $250 and/or 30 days in jail. Nationally, 46 other states have stricter penalties than Massachusetts for those convicted of this crime. This act would provide felony level provisions imposing sentences of up to 5 years in jail and/or fines up to $1,000. Support H. 1527. An Act Prohibiting the Sale or Possession of Depictions of Animal Cruelty. Sponsor: Representative Kafka. This bill would make illegal the possession of various mediums that contained video, sound recordings or photographs of animals being tortured, tormented or victimized as a means of entertainment. It would also prohibit the sale and marketing of those depictions. Recently, on an evening news broadcast, an individual was exposed on the North Shore who was selling videos of illegal animal fights that he either created himself or those that he purchased for resale. Passage of this act would levy misdemeanor penalties against those convicted. Companion Animal Bills Support H.1546. An Act to Relating to Pets and Abuse Prevention. Sponsor: Representative Koutoujian. The research documenting the link between animal abuse and violence toward humans is increasing. A coalition in Massachusetts that consists of professionals in both animal protection and domestic violence have come together to educate others about this "link," and to create programs and promote legislation that addresses this relationship in order to stop the cycle of violence. Following similar laws in Vermont, Maine and New York, this bill would specifically permit the inclusion of pets in abuse prevention orders.
info@massanimalrights.org