HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 253        FILED ON: 1/8/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 747

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to the control of coyotes..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

   Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new section after 80A:— Section 80B. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 80A, the director, or persons permitted by the director, may use the most effective means possible for the purpose of capturing a coyote that presents an imminent threat to human health or safety; provided that concurrence with the mayor, city council, or the board of selectmen, whatever the case may be, is achieved in the city or town where action is deemed by the director to be necessary.

The provisions of sections 80A shall not apply to the use of prohibited devices, by the director or persons permitted by the director, for legitimate scientific research projects.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the use of the steel jaw leghold trap, and/or snares. The director shall promulgate regulations and report annually to the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture on the frequency and location of such imminent threats, the criteria used to determine an imminent threat and the number and method used to take coyotes. The Division, as part of its responsibility under this section, shall be required to provide information to local Boards of Health for dissemination to educate citizens about the ways in which they can participate in avoiding the presence of coyotes and other wildlife in their neighborhoods.