Attorney General Approves Wellesley Fur Ban

Press release from the Town of Wellesley:

May 19, 2021

The Attorney General's office has approved an amendment to Town Bylaws that bans the sale of fur products in Wellesley.

This amendment, known as Article 28, was presented at the October 2020 Special Town Meeting where Town Meeting members discussed and voted in favor of the amendment. The bylaw change is intended to increase community awareness of animal welfare in order to promote a more humane environment in Wellesley.

Article 28 adds a new Chapter 53A. "Fur Products" to the Town Bylaws that states: 53A.3 Prohibitions. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary consideration a fur product in the Town of Wellesley.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, changes to Town Bylaws must be reviewed and approved by the Attorney General's office before officially adopted. There is a 90-day appeal period for the bylaw change.

Claims of invalidity of the amendment to the Town Bylaws by reason of any defect in the procedure of adoption or amendment may only be made within ninety (90) days of the date of posting, said posting date being May 18, 2021 and said deadline August 16, 2021.

Copies of the bylaw may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office at Wellesley Town Hall (525 Washington Street) or reviewed on-line.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wellesley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.