407. Construction with other laws. Nothing in this article shall be construed to (a) limit or restrict agents or officers of societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals or the police from enforcing other provisions of article twenty-six of this chapter or any other law relating to the humane treatment of, or cruelty to, animals, (b) limit or restrict any municipality from enacting or enforcing any authorized local law, rule, regulation or ordinance of general application to businesses governing public health, safety or the rights of consumers, or (c) limit or restrict any municipality from enacting or enforcing a local law, rule, regulation or ordinance governing pet dealers, as such term is defined in this article, including a law, rule, regulation or ordinance governing the health or safety of animals acquired or maintained by pet dealers, the source of animals sold or offered for sale by pet dealers, and the spay or neuter of such animals; provided, however, that any such local law, rule, regulation or ordinance shall be no less stringent than the applicable provisions of this article and may not result in essentially banning all sales of dogs or cats raised and maintained in a healthy and safe manner. Where any penalty may be authorized for the violation of such a local law, rule, regulation or ordinance, the authorized penalty in such local law, rule, regulation or ordinance may not exceed a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars. Where a municipality adopts such a local law, rule, regulation or ordinance that is more stringent than the applicable provisions of this article, such municipality shall have sole responsibility for enforcement of such law, rule, regulation or ordinance that is more stringent than the applicable provisions of this article.
Last modified: February 3, 2019