Special City Council Meeting
Public hearings on dangerous/nuisance-dog determinations at 47 Macy St (dog ‘Scrappie’) — nuisance designation with tethering requirements when removed from the dwelling — and at 58 Congress St (dog ‘Rebel’) — declared a dangerous dog with restrictions under MGL c.140 §157(c) i, ii, iii, and v.
The Council held two public dangerous-dog hearings. For 47 Macy St (dog “Scrappie”), the Animal Control Officer recommended dismissal but testified and the complainant described a bite that broke the skin; neighbors and the complainant raised concerns about the dog leaving the house unrestrained and a prior delivery-driver bite. After discussion and an amendment clarifying that the tethering requirement applies when the dog is removed from the owner’s or keeper’s home/dwelling, the Council declared the dog a nuisance dog and ordered that when removed from the home/dwelling it be securely and humanely restrained with a tethering device having a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding 3 feet in length (passed 4-1-1; one opposed, one abstention).
For 58 Congress St (dog “Rebel”), ACO testimony documented two bite incidents within six months and subsequent neighborhood complaints; multiple neighbors described attacks on pets and at least one bite to a person, while the owners described mitigation efforts including leashing, a six-foot fence, and an electric fence. Councilors debated whether a physical fence could be required under state law. An amendment to reclassify Rebel as a nuisance dog and require a physical fence initially passed but was later reconsidered after legal counsel questioned its appropriateness. The Council’s main motion to find Rebel a dangerous dog and incorporate restrictions under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 157(c) i, ii, iii, and v passed (3-1-2).