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Hubbardston Board of Health drafts zoo and petting-zoo rules requiring annual registration, health checks
Summary
The Town of Hubbardston Board of Health reviewed and tentatively approved draft regulations defining “zoo,” requiring annual registration, health certificates and adherence to state and federal rules; the board asked to review a final draft at the next meeting.
The Town of Hubbardston Board of Health on April 8 reviewed a draft ordinance to regulate zoos, petting zoos, animal rescues and sanctuaries and moved to accept the draft with corrections and return a final copy for review at the next meeting.
Board members said the draft would add definitions (including animals and fish), require annual registration with the Hubbardston Board of Health, require a water test with registration, require a town business license, and require compliance with relevant state and federal rules. The draft also would require a valid exhibitor’s license if the public is invited, and an annual health certificate from the state veterinarian for exhibited animals.
The draft specifies that inspections by the Hubbardston Board of Health or animal control will occur yearly to review animal care, recordkeeping and sanitary practices, and to evaluate public interaction with animals. Board members discussed that a single health certificate could cover animals of the same species when submitted with an event itinerary, but said the certificate must clearly show each species was inspected.
Board members added language that complaints about animal care will be investigated in accordance with state and federal guidelines and that the board reserves the right to close facilities or fine owners if care standards are not met. They agreed the regulations should be reviewed every two years.
At the meeting the board made a motion to accept the draft “with the corrections made” and to present a final copy for a last review at the next meeting. Board members said legal counsel was not necessary, noting the draft references Massachusetts and federal regulations. The board did not record a roll-call vote on the floor beyond the motion and plan to review the final draft at the next meeting before formal adoption.
The board asked staff to add aquariums to the definition list and to make the review interval and complaint language explicit on the front page of the regulation packet. The board also asked to include a requirement that an itinerary of exhibition dates and locations accompany any multi-site exhibitor submission.
The draft will return for review at the board’s next scheduled meeting.
