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RI H7562
Bill
Status
2/6/2026
Primary Sponsor
Matthew Dawson
Click for details
AI Summary
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Expands authority to city and town animal control officers to take charge of abandoned, neglected, or hazardously accumulated animals, a power previously limited to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA)
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Authorizes animal control officers to provide adequate care to animals found aged, maimed, disabled, sick, injured, or cruelly treated, and to notify owners or guardians
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Allows city or town animal shelters (in addition to RISPCA) to commence civil actions for damages against owners 30 days after written demand for payment of care expenses goes unpaid
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Permits animal shelters to petition the court for transfer of ownership if owners fail to petition for custody within 60 days or fail to pay care costs within 60 days of written demand
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Takes effect upon passage
Legislative Description
Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and includes them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this law.
Animals And Animal Husbandry
Last Action
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2/11/2026