EAST LONGMEADOW/LONGMEADOW – In the wake of the death of a puppy that was mauled at the now-shuttered Pampered Pets dog daycare in East Longmeadow, state Rep. Brian Ashe has introduced legislation to better regulate such businesses in Massachusetts. Named for the 7-month-old labradoodle from Longmeadow who sustained injuries that proved fatal while under supervision at the daycare, Ollie’s Law seeks to codify the array of industry suggestions and best practices into firm regulation.

“Ollie’s Law will go a long way in protecting pets across the commonwealth as currently there is no legislative oversight of pet daycares or kennels,” stated Ashe. He told Reminder Publishing, “There were no laws dictating employee-to-dog ratios and training.” Ashe said that under such circumstances, a tragedy such as the one that happened to Ollie in October 2020 was “inevitable.” Anyone who wants to open a dog daycare should know what dogs can be put together and understand canine behavior, said Ashe, who represents Longmeadow, where Ollie’s family lives. “This bill will ensure that all facilities are licensed by the state and that they meet certain safety standards,” Ashe continued.  

Ollie’s Law, officially HD 3356, would mandate a state-level kennel license for any commercial boarding or training kennel. It also calls for the promulgation of regulations governing employee to dog ratios, grouping and supervision of dogs, training of facility employees in animal behavior and body language, development of emergency protocols, and mandatory reporting of injuries to dogs or people,” according to Ashe’s office.

Dog daycares and kennels would fall under the jurisdiction of the state department of agriculture and an independent board would oversee the implementation of the rules. Enforcement would be carried out via municipal animal officer inspections. Communities that already employ an animal control officer should not see any additional cost associated with the legislation, Ashe said.

Jeni Mather, owner and president of JM Pet Resort and JM Pet Clinic testified to business best practices at the East Longmeadow Planning Board meeting in which the Pampered Pets special permit was revoked. She was one of the industry professionals who  gave input on the bill and said in a press release from Ashe’s office, “It has been an honor to assist the legislature in drafting a bill that protects all parties involved.” She added, “I fully support Ollie’s Law, which would create guidelines that are fair and attainable business practices.”

Ollie’s owner, Amy Baxter of Longmeadow,  was also involved in creating the bill. “For the past three months, we have met weekly with animal advocates, veterinarians, trainers and kennel owners to craft a bill that would be impactful and hopefully prevent what happened to Ollie from occurring in the future.”

The bill will move into committee and be the subject of hearings over the next couple of months before it goes to the Massachusetts House floor for a vote.

Ashe acknowledged, “There’s a fair amount of laws that are on the books because something has happened and it sparks enough outrage that something is done.” Baxter commented, “This legislation is critically important. If the daycare had been licensed and inspected, or if there had been an emergency plan in place at the kennel and Ollie had been taken next door to the vet, perhaps there would have been a better outcome,” she said.