SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1246        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1118

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Michael F. Rush

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act further clarifying dog bite liability.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Michael F. Rush

Norfolk and Suffolk

 

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

2/8/2023


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1246        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1118

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1118) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry for legislation to further clarify dog bite liability.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act further clarifying dog bite liability.

 

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

Section 155 of Chapter 140 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper or, if the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog or unless the injured person was grossly negligent.