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H 2247

An Act relative to further increasing the fines for cruelty to animals, and establishing a fund dedicated to improvements for local animal shelters

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Ayers

Raises animal-cruelty fines and creates a municipal shelter-improvement fund funded by fines, with per-offense caps.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 2247

Summary: Massachusetts House Bill H.2247 — An Act relative to further increasing the fines for cruelty to animals, and establishing a fund dedicated to improvements for local animal shelters

Overview

H.2247, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Bruce J. Ayers, proposes (1) modest increases to existing fines for cruelty to animals under the commonwealth’s general laws, and (2) creation of a dedicated fund to support improvements to local animal shelters. The bill is intended to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty and direct funds from violations toward shelter enhancements at the municipal level.

Key Provisions

  • Fine increases (Section 77 of Chapter 272):
    • Increase the maximum first-offense fine from $5,000 to $5,500.
    • Increase the maximum subsequent-offense fine from $10,000 to $11,000.
  • Special account restrictions and use (Section 2):
    • From any single fine, no more than $500 for a first offense and no more than $1,000 for subsequent offenses may be designated to a special municipal animal-shelter improvement account.
    • Funds designated to municipalities without an animal shelter may be used, at the municipality’s discretion, to benefit local groups, nonprofit organizations, or public entities focused on humane treatment of animals and/or adoption of shelter animals.

Fiscal/Administrative Impact

  • The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism tied to fines collected for animal-cruelty offenses.
  • The cap on amounts directed to the local shelter improvement fund (per offense) is intended to reinvest fines while ensuring most of the fine remains available for other municipal purposes.
  • Where a municipality lacks an animal shelter, funds can be leveraged to support humane treatment and animal-adoption-related activities through eligible local entities or groups.

Who Is Affected

-Individuals and entities found liable for cruelty to animals under Chapter 272 would face higher penalties.
- Municipalities would receive a potential source of dedicated funding for local shelter improvements, subject to the per-offense caps.
- Municipalities without shelters have flexibility to allocate funds to compatible humane or adoption-related programs.

Procedural Timeline & Status

  • Filed: January 15, 2025 (House No. 2247; introduced by Rep. Ayers).
  • Referred to committee: February 27, 2025 (Municipalities and Regional Government).
  • Hearing: June 10, 2025.
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Steering: July 10, 2025.
  • Readings: Read second and ordered to a third reading; status updated July 21, 2025.
  • Related action note: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (HD 2022).

Notes

  • The bill is part of a broader legislative effort to enhance penalties for animal cruelty and to create a dedicated local-shelter fund.
  • Related filing: HD 2156 (replaces) is listed in the file as related to this matter.

If you’d like, I can compare H.2247 to current law or to similar bills in past sessions for additional context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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