Dangerous or Nuisance Dog Complaint

Dog complaints are governed under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 157.  The terms "dangerous dog" and "nuisance dog" are defined in Section 136A of the same chapter.

Dangerous Dog:  
A dog that either:
(i) without justification, attacks a person or domestic animal causing physical injury or death; or
(ii) behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury or death to a person or to a domestic or owned animal.

Nuisance Dog:
A dog that:
(i) by excessive barking or other disturbance, is a source of annoyance to a sick person residing in the vicinity; or
(ii) by excessive barking, causing damage or other interference, a reasonable person would find such behavior disruptive to one's quiet and peaceful enjoyment; or
(iii) has threatened or attacked livestock, a domestic animal or a person, but such threat or attack was not a grossly disproportionate reaction under all the circumstances.