On Monday, Governor Maura Healey signed Ollie’s Law, aimed at enhancing pet safety in kennels across Massachusetts. The bill, known as H4919, changes how kennels and pet boarding facilities are licensed and regulated to create a safer environment for animals. This legislation was inspired by the tragic death of a seven-month-old Labradoodle named Ollie in 2020, according to Mass.gov.
The signing ceremony, attended by state legislators and animal advocates, honored the resilience of pet owners like Amy Baxter, Ollie's owner. She shared the heartbreaking story of Ollie, who was seriously injured in a dog fight at a daycare and later died after needing extensive care and surgery. "No pet owner wants to receive the call that their beloved pet has been injured while staying at a kennel," Governor Healey stated, highlighting the bill's aim to prevent similar incidents. "Ollie’s death was preventable – and I’m inspired by the perseverance of Amy Baxter and other pet owners who have taken a stand to prevent this from happening to more pets," she added, reflecting the determination of pet owners to drive change, as reported by Mass.gov.
The legislation introduces several new requirements: all kennels must be licensed, dogs must have individual licenses, and municipalities must set a maximum number of animals that kennels can house based on available accommodations and staff. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized the need for improved oversight, stating, "For far too long, Massachusetts lacked oversight of our animal daycare facilities, and our pets paid the cost for that inaction," a statement obtained by Mass.gov.
Ollie's Law serves as a legacy for a "beautiful and innocent puppy whose life was tragically cut short due to the negligent actions of an unlicensed doggy daycare facility," Amy Baxter said, expressing her lasting sorrow for her companion. The new law means kennels will face closer scrutiny from municipalities, ensuring that no animal or family endures the same pain they experienced from the preventable tragedy. Under the new requirements, cities and towns must issue all types of kennel licenses and ensure kennels are properly licensed to operate. Additionally, all boarding and training kennels will be required to report any injuries to people or animals to municipal licensing authorities, according to Mass.gov.
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Randle highlighted the administration's commitment to preventing future tragedies like Ollie's. Recognizing the lessons learned, MDAR played a key role in drafting the new regulations and, along with an advisory committee, will establish detailed operational and safety guidelines for kennels. "By strengthening the licensure and regulation of kennels, we can provide peace of mind to pet owners, that they will reunite with their furry friends," a statement obtained by Mass.gov.
