Governor Maura Healey signed a law Wednesday that bans the sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks old, as well as the roadside sale of animals, her office said.
While pet shops and shelters are already blocked from selling young animals, the new law closes a gap and extends to all individuals, according to the MSPCA-Angell animal welfare advocacy group that supported the bill. Separating young animals from their mothers and littermates can lead to health and behavioral problems, including dog biting, which the MSCPA-Angell warns could ultimately turn into a public safety threat.
Violators could be fined up to $100.
