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Ollie’s Law signed: Here’s who it protects, and why
The law implements oversight of dog day care and boarding facilities.
In 2020, Amy Baxter received the news no pet parent wants to hear.
Baxter’s beloved 7-month-old Labradoodle, Ollie, was injured in a fight at a doggy day care.
“I get a text saying your dog has a cut, could you come pick him up and take him to a vet,” she told State House News Service (SHNS).
Ollie was seriously injured. He was hospitalized and wound up needing surgery.
Two months later, Ollie succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Baxter’s loss motivated her to work with state legislators to create a law ensuring that what happened to Ollie never happens again.
On Thursday, “Ollie’s Law” was ceremonially signed, updating licensing and regulation of kennels and other pet boarding facilities to protect animals in their care.
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“No pet owner wants to receive the call that their beloved pet has been injured while staying at a kennel,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “Ollie’s death was preventable — and I’m inspired by the perseverance of Amy Baxter and other pet owners who have taken a stand to prevent this from happening to more pets.”
Previously, Massachusetts did not have any state oversight of day care and boarding facilities for dogs.
“Here in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on being a leader in animal protection, but we had been falling behind when it comes to kennel oversight,” Healey said.
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Under the law, all kennels must be licensed and all dogs must be individually licensed, according to the statement, and municipalities must establish a limit to the number of animals housed by a kennel based on the number of available staff.
Boarding and training facilities will have to report all injuries to people and animals to municipal licensing authorities.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will be required to create “detailed operational and safety regulations” with help from an advisory committee, the statement said.
“Our administration is taking the lead in preventing senseless losses like this in the future,” MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle said. “By strengthening the licensure and regulation of kennels, we can provide peace of mind to pet owners, that they will reunite with their furry friends.”
Ollie’s Law, Baxter said, is the “culmination” of nearly four years of work.
“Ollie was a beautiful and innocent puppy whose life was tragically cut short due to the negligent actions of an unlicensed doggy daycare facility,” Baxter said. “Nothing will mitigate the pain and suffering he endured, but with this law, Ollie will leave a legacy of healing by helping and protecting other animals.”
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