# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 8A: Destruction or control of foxes and rodents; investigations; cooperative arrangements with United States

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S8A

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 8A
- **Heading:** Destruction or control of foxes and rodents; investigations; cooperative arrangements with United States
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XIX / Chapter 128 / Section 8A

## Text

Section 8A. In order to protect the food supplies, agricultural produce, growing crops, live stock, manufactured goods and buildings, and to safeguard the public health, the commissioner may investigate the life and habits of, and may take necessary measures to destroy or to control, foxes, and rats, mice, woodchucks, and such other rodents not protected by law, as may from time to time be determined by him to be detrimental to one or more of such purposes. In performing such duties he may, by himself or by his authorized agent, with the consent of the owner or tenant, enter upon private premises for any of such purposes at any reasonable time. In order to carry out this section, the commissioner may enter into co-operative arrangements with the United States or any agency thereof, with any department, board or commission of this commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, or with any association, corporation or individual owning, occupying or possessing any property within the commonwealth. Section forty-three of chapter one hundred and thirty-one shall not apply to the destruction of rodents under this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the destruction or control of foxes by the use of poison.

Section 8A. In order to protect the food supplies, agricultural produce, growing crops, live stock, manufactured goods and buildings, and to safeguard the public health, the commissioner may investigate the life and habits of, and may take necessary measures to destroy or to control, foxes, and rats, mice, woodchucks, and such other rodents not protected by law, as may from time to time be determined by him to be detrimental to one or more of such purposes. In performing such duties he may, by himself or by his authorized agent, with the consent of the owner or tenant, enter upon private premises for any of such purposes at any reasonable time. In order to carry out this section, the commissioner may enter into co-operative arrangements with the United States or any agency thereof, with any department, board or commission of this commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, or with any association, corporation or individual owning, occupying or possessing any property within the commonwealth. Section forty-three of chapter one hundred and thirty-one shall not apply to the destruction of rodents under this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the destruction or control of foxes by the use of poison.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 1A Farming, agriculture, farmer; definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S1A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2 Powers and duties of the department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2A Horse riding instructors; licenses; fees; validity of license; duplicate licenses; rules and regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2B Riding schools or stables; license; fee; rules and regulations; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2C Horses participating in contests at agricultural fairs; administering of drugs prohibited; testing, prima facie evidence; eligibility restricted; rules and regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2D Liability of persons involved in equine activities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 2E Agricultural harvesting or ''pick-your-own'' farming operations; liability of owners or operators](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S2E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 3 Collection and circulation of information regarding development of agricultural resources](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 4 Trust funds, gifts or bequests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 5 Annual report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 6 Lectures and publications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 7 Posters containing extracts of laws; preparation and distribution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128, sec. 7A Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S7A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIX_C128_S8A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.