Animal Control

The Animal Control section is responsible for enforcing local ordinances, state statutes and regulations related to: unlicensed dogs; leash law violations; unvaccinated animals; animal bite quarantine; and all animal complaints from citizens as well as formal complaints received through the Office of the Chief of Police.

Coyote Sightings

Share sightings of live coyotes within the City of Worcester. The City of Worcester encourages residents to report all coyote sightings. If a coyote presents a public safety emergency please call 911.

Report a Coyote Sighting

Report a Stray or Lost Animal

Please call Animal Control at 508-799-1211. All stray animals that can not be identified are taken to the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL). The WARL is a no-kill intake animal shelter located at 139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606. Injured animals are taken to a local veterinarian. Animal Control logs all animals that are picked up and the WARL keeps records of animals they receive.

Animal Rescue League

Have a Question?

• Are there fines for violating the laws and ordinances?

  Yes:

  • Leash Law Violations - $50.00
  • Dog License Violations - $50.00
• Are vaccinations required for my dog or cat?

  Yes. All dogs and cats over a certain age (usually 6 months) are required to be immunized against a number of diseases including rabies.

• Is every complaint investigated?

  An Animal Control Officer will investigate every complaint received by the unit. The Animal Control Officer will then take whatever action is deemed to be appropriate.

• Is there a leash law in the City?

  Yes. There is a leash law everywhere in the City.

• Is this a 24-hour leash law?

  Yes. Dogs must be leashed whenever off of the owner's or handler's property.

• Must I license my dog if it does not go outside?

  Yes. Any dog over six (6) months of age must be licensed with the City Clerk's Office.

• What are the laws and conditions of a vicious dog?

  No person shall own, harbor or keep any dangerous dog anywhere within the City for any length of time. For purposes of this section, a "dangerous dog" shall be any dog which:

  1. without provocation, bites or inflicts serious injury on any person or any domestic animal; or
  2. is owned or harbored or trained primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting; or
  3. is owned or harbored on property known for drug trafficking or gang activities; or
  4. has been impounded by an animal control officer for a violation on at least three (3) separate occasions within any twelve-month period.
• What is the cost to license a dog in Worcester?

  The cost of a dog license is $30.00 and $25.00 if the dog is spayed or neutered.

• Who do I call about wild animals in the neighborhood?

  Legally, Animal Control may only respond to situations involving sick or injured wildlife. For that reason, it's best to contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) during normal business hours (508-389-6300) or the Massachusetts Environmental Police radio dispatch during weeknights, weekends and holidays (1-800-632-8075). You can also look up information on common wildlife and ways to prevent conflicts by going to the MassWildlife Living with Wildlife Fact Sheets.

Resources

• Application for Permit to Keep and Display Exotic Animals/Operate a Pet Store
• Complaint of Vicious and/or Barking Dog
• Dog Licenses
• MassWildlife Living With Wildlife Fact Sheets