Ordinance committee advances changes to dangerous-dog rules, creates kennel-license framework for Cambridge City

The Cambridge City Ordinance Committee on a motion by Councilor Nolan voted to forward to the full City Council a proposal to amend the city’s dangerous-dog ordinance and establish a kennel licensing program to align Cambridge City law with recent changes in Massachusetts statutes.

Assistant City Solicitor Diane Pires, who led the presentation to the committee chaired by Vice Mayor McGovern, said the “purpose of these amendments is to bring the vicious dog ordinance into line with the state law” and to create a kennel licensing ordinance consistent with state requirements.

The proposed ordinance would: replace the city’s terminology “vicious dog” with “dangerous dog,” update definitions to mirror chapter 140 references cited in the presentation, revise fee amounts tied to noncompliance and ownership transfers, elaborate hearing procedures and the authority available after a dangerous-dog determination, and create a…