Pittsfield Animal Control Commission Eyes Animal Abuse Registry

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Animal Control Commission organized itself late last month and floated a couple of areas to address. 

This includes a registry of animal cruelty offenders and handling issues with off-leash dogs at Kirvin Park. The commission is no longer in charge of dangerous or nuisance dog hearings. 

"Now that we have two separate commissions, the Animal Control Commission and the Hearing Authority, the Animal Control Commission is going to oversee sort of the rules, regulations, and city ordinances for Pittsfield regarding animals, dogs, cats, etc.," Animal Control Officer Kristin Quintal explained. 

"So, if there are any issues that the community wants to discuss regarding park situations, any changes to the city ordinances, things like that." 

During a brief meeting on June 30, the commission welcomed new members John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's executive director, and Tricia Phillips, the Humane Society's community outreach coordinator. 

Perreault was elected chair, and Phillips was elected secretary. 

"So this commission is supposed to meet four times a year to discuss happy things," Renee Dodds, the former chair, told members last year. 

The commission meets quarterly to "study, review, and issue written reports on issues dealing with dogs or other animals in the City and shall coordinate to the fullest extent possible the work of all public and private agencies concerned with animal care, protection and control," the City Code reads. 

Commissioners are to make recommendations to the mayor and City Council about improving ordinances for dogs and other animals in the city. 

Perreault said people in the community are looking at a registry for convicted animal cruelty offenders.  

"I know someone's doing some homework and will eventually approach to see if this is something the city would be interested in, so I think that may be our first agenda item coming up in the near future," he said. 

Neither Pittsfield nor Massachusetts has a registry for animal abusers, though there is proposed legislation, House Bill 1764, that would create a state animal abuse registry and require pet stores to screen customers.

Also, in future business, the commission might discuss issues with off-leash dogs at Kirvin Park. Quintal reported many calls for dog bites from off-leash pups on the property. 

Pittsfield Honors Disability Pride Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:13AM / Saturday, July 11, 2026

Catherine Carchedi, chair of the Commission on Disabilities, speaks to how the Americans with Disabilities Act has allowed people with disabilities to function and enjoy everyday things like going to the movies. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city marked Disability Pride Month with a flag raising on Thursday, recognizing the right of every person to be seen, valued, and included exactly as they are.

Catherine Carchedi, chair of the Commission on Disabilities, pointed out that it has been 36 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

"The ADA is really a civil rights movement, and I want to remind people that," she said. 

"… It's a civil rights law, and it needs to be protected, especially during these times." 

The historic legislation made it illegal to discriminate based on disability in employment, education, transportation, and public spaces. Disability Pride Month was first celebrated in 2015. 

Carchedi used the movie theater as an example of how, decades ago, she wouldn't have been able to enjoy a night out with friends who use a wheelchair or require assistive devices. 

She said they can now catch a ride to the movies with the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority because all buses now need to be accessible, and find a good place to sit in the theater with seating that meets their needs. 

Carchedi's friend with a guide dog can also go to the movies and use a visual descriptive device, and another friend who is hard of hearing can watch the movie with closed captioning or with an assistive listening device.