SECTION 1. Chapter 131 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 19B the following section:-

Section 19C. (a) For purposes of this section, “relocation site” shall mean any wildlife sanctuary, nature preserve or other predetermined area of land located within the commonwealth deemed suitable for the release of wild turkeys by the director.

(b) The department shall promptly take possession and control of any wild turkey captured by an animal control officer pursuant to subsection (c) of section 151 of chapter 140 and shall release the wild turkey into a relocation site.

(c) The department shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2. Section 151 of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 26, the words “animals, as” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- animals, including the removal of a wild turkey pursuant to subsection (c), or as.

SECTION 3. Said section 151 of said chapter 140, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(c) Upon a complaint or report of a wild turkey living or occupying space in or near a residence or place of business, an animal control officer shall attempt to capture the wild turkey alive and remove the wild turkey from the area.

The animal control officer shall transfer possession and control of any captured wild turkey to the department of fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement as soon as is practicable; provided, however, that the animal control officer shall keep the wild turkey in a secure cage, room or other location suitable for the confinement of a wild turkey until the department takes possession and control.