WESTBORO – As in the past, MassWildlife will allow dogs on wildlife management areas across the state, but as of Jan. 11, regulations will require that dogs be leashed.

Dog owners will also be required to clean up all dog fecal matter.

Specifically, dogs must be on a physical leash or tether while on wildlife management property.

According to MassWildlife, the leashing requirement decreases potential conflicts with people and other dogs, providing a safer and more positive experience for all.

The regulations state that dogs may be off-leash only when hunting or engaged in hunt training with licensed hunters. The other exception is participation in retriever or bird dog trial events that have been sanctioned by the agency.

The regulations further stipulate that dog feces must be picked up by dog handlers and disposed of offsite. Licensed hunters engaged in hunting or hunt training, and those participating in sanctioned field trials are exempt from this requirement.

Dog feces in WMA parking areas and within 100 feet of the parking area must be picked up by all dog handlers and disposed of offsite.

In the past, MassWildlife received numerous complaints from WMA users about negative and unsafe encounters with unleashed dogs as well as issues with dog waste. In a press release, the agency cited the most common complaints as “Dog attacks and bites on other dogs, both off- and on-leash; dog bites on people; and piles of accumulating dog waste, both a nuisance and health concern for pets, people, and wildlife.”

Other incidents and complaints from WMA users included user conflicts between unleashed dogs with hunters, birders, field trial dog participants, naturalists and hikers; observations of dogs harassing or chasing wildlife; dogs chasing or killing livestock on abutting property; chasing/harassing neighboring property owners and families; dogs spooking horses, resulting in injuries to riders or horses; dogs trampling through posted endangered species restoration projects or newly planted agricultural crops.

The new regulations were drafted after a staff review and presentation to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board. A public hearing was held in February 2018.

After considering written and oral comments submitted during the public hearing process, amendments were made and the final regulation package was approved by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board March 14, 2018. The regulations will take effect on Jan. 11. The agency’s advisory stated that while many municipalities have leash or animal control bylaws, those bylaws have no legal standing on state lands. The new WMA regulations address this disparity.

Enforcement of these regulations, as with all Wildlife Management Area Regulations, is carried out by the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

State and municipal police departments also have authority to enforce Wildlife Management Area regulations.