An Act relative to dangerous dogs

This bill amends Massachusetts laws regarding dangerous dogs to strengthen public safety measures and standardize hearing procedures. It requires that any dog that has bitten a human must wear a basket muzzle while outside until a hearing is held, which must occur within 30 days of the complaint. The legislation also mandates that dogs be confined in secure, six-foot fenced areas or indoors, and it prohibits the use of painful training tools like electric or prong collars in behavior modification plans. Additionally, the bill prevents owners from transferring ownership of a dog once a complaint is filed and clarifies rules for appeals and hearing scopes.