Massachusetts Ranks Fourth in Protecting Animals

02:15PM / Tuesday, January 17, 2012Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — We know Berkshirites love their dogs so it's not surprising Massachusetts does right by animals.

The Humane Society of the United States has ranked Massachusetts No. 4, tied with Illinios, on how it treats animals.

"Massachusetts has a proud history of animal protection. The commonwealth was the first state in America to pass animal cruelty legislation. We hope that the current state legislature will continue to lead the nation when it comes to animal protection by joining the eight other states that passed farm animal welfare reforms in recent years," said Alexis Fox, Massachusetts state director for the Humane Society of the United States.

The MSPCA, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was founded in 1868.

The third annual Humane State Rankings rated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., on a wide range of animal protection laws, including animal cruelty codes, equine protection standards, wildlife issues, animals in research and farm animal policy.

Earning the highest scores were California in first and New Jersey and Oregon tied for second place. South Dakota was last with score of 8 out of a possible 66 with Idaho in 50th. Idaho, North Dakota and South Dakota received especially low marks in part because they are the only three states in the country with no felony penalty for egregious acts of animal cruelty.

To see the complete 2011 Humane State Rankings, click here.

Tags: domestic animals, pets,

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Licensing Board OKs Pittsfield Businesses Alterations

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:22PM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board OK'd alterations for several local businesses during its last meeting of the year on Monday.

This includes an amendment to the Berkshire Museum's entertainment license in advance of its reopening after capital improvements, a change of license category for Hot Plate Brewing Co., and a change of catering company for Berkshire Hills Country Club.

It's been a good year for Hot Plate, as they were nominated No. 3 in USA Today's list of "Best New Brewery," and can now serve all alcoholic beverages. Because of a new state law, businesses can trade an existing beer and wine license for an all-alcohol license.

"The state saw this as an opportunity to enhance businesses all across the commonwealth of Massachusetts," Chair Thomas Campoli explained.

The Berkshire Museum was granted an entertainment license that runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. as it works on a $12 million renovation of its 1903 structure.

Executive Director Kimberley Bush Tomio explained that there are no proposed changes in entertainment from the former license, and board members suggested moving the license's hours later than 5 p.m. in case of an event at the museum.

"It's going to be phenomenal when we get open," she said. "And we do hope to help support the museum through rentals and things like that, so it's helpful to have this license in place."

Berkshire Hills Country Club will have a new in-house food provider, as the board approved a management agreement with Berkshire Hospitality Group, which operates the restaurant at Shire Breu-Haus in Dalton.