Walking a Bear Down a Massachusetts Street Can Cost You $20

Did you know that walking a bear down the street in Massachusetts is illegal? I mean, it’s common sense, but the fact of the matter is that walking bears is specifically called out as being against the law in the Commonwealth.

Where Did the Bear Law Come From?

While there’s no clear record of an origin story behind this oddball Massachusetts law, one might assume that it had something to do with traveling circuses, which were popular in the 1800s through the early 1900s.

Traveling Circuses Brought Bears to Town

In those days, it was fairly common to see a traveling circus come to town during the summertime. Similar to the way we look forward to the Whaling City Festival and the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, menageries like this one in Newburyport, Massachusetts, usually included bears.

READ MORE: Massachusetts Coyote Hunting Laws

One can only assume that there must have been a tragic attack from one of the traveling bears somewhere in Massachusetts that led to this law.

How Much Is the Fine for Walking a Bear?

To be honest, a closer look at the law reveals that the most money you can be fined for walking a bear down the street in Massachusetts is only $20. Not much of a deterrent, is it?

Exact Wording of the Massachusetts Law

Here is the exact wording of the clearly outdated Massachusetts law:

Whoever leads or drives a bear or other dangerous wild animal or causes it to travel upon or be conveyed over a public way unless properly secured in some covered vehicle or cage shall be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than twenty dollars. Any such animal which is found upon a public way not so secured or caged may be killed by a sheriff, constable or police officer. -M.G.L. Chapter 85, Section 19