Animal Control

The Animal Control Department is here to enforce both the town by-laws as well as the state laws pertaining to animals. We work to assist and educate the public in these matters. If the public has questions regarding the laws, we are more then willing to help them.

Responsibilities

The Animal Control Department responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Animal Abuse Complaints
  • Barking Dog Complaints
  • Dog Attacks on Livestock or Pets of Any Type
  • Dog Bite, Attack (People or Another Dog)
  • Dogs or Cats Hit by Cars
  • Enforcement of Chapter 140 Laws
  • Found Dogs
  • Livestock Inspections
  • Loose Dogs
  • Loose Livestock I.E. Horses, Cattle
  • Quarantining Dogs That Have Bitten
  • Quarantining Dogs That Have Fought with or Killed Wildlife
  • Sick or Injured Wildlife
  • Unlicensed Dogs
  • Unvaccinated Dogs or Cats (Rabies)

Services Not Offered

Animal Control is not responsible for the following:

  • Wildlife in people's homes, sheds, garages, etc., unless emergency circumstances exist. This includes but is not limited to raccoons, skunks, bats, squirrels. For a problem such as these, please call Panther - Problem Animal and Pest Control; Joanne 857-526-2617 24 hours.
  • Animal Control does not trap wildlife that is doing property damage. i.e. woodchucks eating gardens, skunks digging up lawns. This is a job for someone licensed to do pest removal.
  • For dead wildlife in someone's yard, they can bury it in their yard, or bag it and put it out with their trash, gloves should be worn.
  • Found baby wildlife: people should call New England Wildlife at 781-682-4878. The best thing you can do, is leave it alone.
  • If you have a cat in a tree, you can hire someone to climb the tree, or put tuna or sardines at the base of the tree. Mike's Tree Service 826-5886, will come and charge you for their services.
  • Animal Control will not release a skunk trapped by accident by a home owner meant to trap something else.
  • Rockland does not have a "Pooper Scopper" Law. Although this is a fineable offense and our Animal Control officer can write you a citation if you do not pick-up after your pet, It is a common courtesy to pick up after the dog.

Additional Information

For more information contact Ian Davidson or email Animal Control.