Photo: Chris Fama
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A bill at the Massachusetts State House is seeking to add more regulations at pet daycares in the state to help promote more animal safety.
The bill has been dubbed "Ollie's Law" named after a labradoodle named Ollie who was attacked by a group of larger dogs while at a kennel. Ollie died of his wounds from the attack.
Ollie's death helped inspire the new bill after his owner Amy Baxter realized there were no statewide regulations for pet daycares. She spoke at a press conference Wednesday in support of the bill.
"Society, and especially its elected leaders, has an obligation to speak and fight for the voiceless," Baxter said. "Ollie's Law is not just for him, but for all the innocent animals that have needlessly died at unregulated kennels."
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State Rep. Brian Ashe of Hampden introduced the bill at the State House. The bill calls for new regulations for kennels regarding issues like dogs to staff ratio, require training programs for kennel staff, and requiring all injuries to dogs or people to be reported to the state.
Ollie's law also calls for the creation of a commission consisting of representatives from kennels, the state, dog breeders, animal control, and animal rights activists to review the regulations put into place by the bill and advise any changes to training for workers.
WBZ's Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports.
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