How do I contact the Animal Control Officer?:

The Animal Control Officer may be reached by calling the Health Department at 978-465-4410 on Monday – Wednesday from 8 am – 4 pm, Thursdays 8 am – 8 pm, Fridays
8 am – noon. You may also leave a message on the Health Department phone for non-emergency situations.

Emergencies:  The Animal Control Officer may be reached in an EMERGENCY by calling the Newburyport Police Department at 978-462-4411.

An emergency complaint is one that requires immediate action from the Animal Control Officer.  Incidents qualifying as an emergency complaint are those in which there is imminent threat to human life or an injury to a domestic animal.

Examples of emergency complaints include:

• Domestic animal hit by car and inured
• Canine bite, attack or mauling in progress
• Potentially rabid animal having contact with human or domestic animal
• At large dogs acting vicious or posing a threat to a human or other animals
• Dead animals disrupting traffic flow

PLEASE NOTE:  LOOSE DOGS OR DOGS IN CUSTODY ARE NOT AN EMERGENCY.  THE ON-CALL ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS THAT WORK NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS CANNOT RESPOND TO LOOSE DOGS OR DOGS IN CUSTODY.

Non-Emergency Complaints:
All other complaints are non-emergency complaints. Non-emergency complaints are those that do not pose a threat to life, public safety or danger of serious injury to public or animals.  Non-emergency complaints do not require immediate action from the Animal Control Officer and shall be investigated during normal ACO business hours (M, T, W 8 am – 4 pm;  Th 8 am – 8 pm; Fri. 8 am – noon.)   978-465-4410.

Examples of non-emergency complaints include:

• Dead animals on the side of road or in public areas not disrupting traffic
• Loose or lost domestic animals
• Stray domestic animals
• Violations of animal control ordinances which do not pose a threat to public safety
• Nuisance complaints

Purpose of Department:

Animal Control Officers enforce local and state laws concerning animals, provide for stray, sick and injured animals in the City's custody, and to protect the public from free roaming dogs and sick wildlife.

Responsibilities:

Appointed by the Mayor, the Animal Control Officer (ACO) works under the supervision of the Director of Health. The ACO is a special police officer with training in firearms, criminal justice, CPR, first aid, and animal first aid.

What is the location and hours of the Shelter?

The shelter is located with the DPW on 16 Perry Way, off of Low Street. An appointment must be made to view the animals or to retrieve a dog.



What are the fines for violation of the City's Ordinance?

Unlicensed dog (over 6 months of age tag must be worn) Chapter 140 §135: $25.00

Unvaccinated dog and cat (rabies, over 6 months of age) MGL Chapter 140 §145B: $50.00

Pick up retrieval fee per dog: $40.00 (Monday – Friday, 8am. – 5pm)*

* Retrieval fee nights (after 5:00pm, before 8:00am) and weekends: $50.00

Leash Law Violation Offense (City Ordinance 3-26)

*1st offense $50.00

*2nd offense $75.00

*3rd offense $100.00

Nuisances-Complaint: investigation; order to muzzle or restrain (City Ordinance 8-101 MGL Chapter 140 §157):

*1st offense $15.00

*2nd offense $25.00

*3rd offense $50.00

Improper disposal of animal waste (City Ordinance 3-2):

*1st offense: $50.00

*2nd offense: $75.00

*3rd and subsequent offense: $100.00

Dog or animal illegally on the beach at Plum Island (City Ordinance 4-101f) : $100.00

What is the fee for a dog license?

• Neutered/Spayed dog license: $10.00
• Un-neutered/Un-spayed dog license: $15.00

*All dogs six (6) months old or older must be licensed and tagged. Licensing will be done in the office of the City Clerk. The owner or keeper of any dog in the City shall obtain a license by April first of each year.

Can the shelter accept donations of goods or monetary donations?
Yes, we are always looking for large towels, cat food, dog food, cat litter, and any supplies that would aid in the operation of the shelter. Our shelter is dependent on private donations and the generosity of its volunteers.

Does the City destroy the animals in the shelter?

The City believes in making every effort to save the lives of the stray, unwanted dogs and cats in their care.

Wildlife and Rabies:

The Animal Control Officer does not have the authority to assist landowners with nuisance wildlife, a special person licensed by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife must be hired. The Animal Control Officer will respond to a wildlife call when it poses a threat to the public or has had direct human contact. It is recommended that residents avoid contact with wildlife animals and report animals that appear sick to the Police Department at 462-4411. Residents SHOULD NOT allow their pets to run at large. For further information concerning rabies, contact the Animal Control Officer, the Board of Health or your veterinarian. It can not be stressed enough to have your pet's vaccination up to date! Doing so could save it's life and prevent the need for human family members to undergo expensive, painful rabies treatments.