Animal Control

If you wish to file a complaint in regards to an animal or wish to speak with the Animal Control Officer [ACO] you may call the ACO voicemail at (413) 245-0117 ext. 350. The voicemail extension is housed off the Police Department non-emergency phone line and is set up to contact the ACO advising them that there is a message. Please ensure that your message is left on the ACO voicemail and not the general Police Department voicemail in order to expedite response. You may also contact our ACO via e-mail or file an Animal Complaint Form. 

Please be advised that although the ACO may provide advice and education for wildlife situations, the ACO is limited in terms of actions they may take concerning wildlife and non-domestic animals. You may review our Wildlife link for more information.

Animal Control Officers are appointed pursuant to General Laws of the Commonwealth and are authorized to enforce multiple sections of the law. Our Animal Control Officers are not police officers; however, they do maintain the authority to conduct criminal investigations, seek criminal charges, and enforce local by-laws and regulations pertaining to animals. 

The ACO is a part-time employee appointed by the Board of Selectmen and reports directly to the Chief of Police. The ACO is a trained professional in the field and must successfully complete the Massachusetts Animal Fund Animal Control Officer Training Institute Program requirements and must complete and maintain any other training and certification that is required by law or the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture MDAR. 

The ACO is responsible for the enforcement of Massachusetts General Laws and the Town of Holland bylaws that are applicable to the position and are guided by the current standards and accepted practices of the animal control industry. The ACO must also comply with standard operating procedures and any other directive that may be issued by the Chief of Police from time to time. 

Source References: MGL c. 140 § 151, §§ 136A-174F, MDAR Training Requirements,  ACO Job Description: Directive No. 1.02B, ACO Standard Operating Procedure SOP: Directive No. 1.03B, as amended.