BOSTON — Ollie the labradoodle was 7 months old when he was boarded in a commercial boarding kennel in 2020.
Owner Amy Baxter received a text from the kennel while the puppy was in its care, informing her that Ollie had been injured in a fight, according to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell.
Ollie had in fact been mauled by other dogs, sustaining life-threatening wounds. He died as a result of the attack despite surgery and two months of round-the-clock care in an animal hospital.
The boarding kennel in East Longmeadow was closed by the town.
Baxter, however, discovered that there were no statewide regulations regarding these boarding facilities, and she went to work to address that potentially fatal flaw.
Now Ollie’s name will live on in a law intended to avert similar tragedies.
Co-sponsored by state Sen. Mark Montigny
Co-sponsored by state Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, Ollie’s Law was signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey on Oct. 10.
“Pets are family who provide boundless love and affection that we are lucky to receive,” said Montigny in a press release, adding, “it is critical that we ensure all businesses entrusted with the care of our family adhere to proper health and safety protocols no matter what town they operate in across the commonwealth.”
Prior to Ollie’s Law, the only requirement for anyone with more than four dogs had been to obtain a kennel license from the city or town, stated MSPCA-Angell.
Applies to commercial boarding and training kennels, home-based care
But not all municipalities issue kennel licenses, according to MSPCA-Angell. Even when they do, they’re not adequate, stating only the kennel must be maintained in a sanitary and humane manner.
Kara Holmquist, MSPCA director of advocacy, said Ollie’s Law will apply to commercial boarding and training kennels, and that will include those providing home-based care.
The state Dept. of Agricultural Resources will establish regulations that will include specifications on staff-to-dog ratios, group sizes and supervision, minimum housing and care requirements, indoor and outdoor physical facility requirements, dog handling, and insurance.
Injuries must be posted on state website
It will also require injuries to be reported. If an injury investigation results in enforcement, the information will be posted on a state website.
The injury-reporting requirement will begin when the law takes effect on Dec. 19, said Holmquist.
The Dept. of Agricultural Resources will have 90 days to appoint people to a committee to craft the regulations. It will include members of the industry, veterinarians and animal behaviorists.
Public can comment during committee process
The regulations must be completed and put into effect within 18 months of Dec. 19, which is June of 2026.
Holmquist said there will be opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed regulations during that process.
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