Rhode Island Bill Introduced To Make Animal Cruelty A Domestic Violence Crime

PROVIDENCE, RI — Legislation was introduced by a Rhode Island lawmaker to make animal cruelty a domestic violence crime.

The bill was brought by state Rep. William W. O’Brien, D-North Providence.

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“As awful as it is, domestic abusers do sometimes target family pets to inflict pain on others, and such actions should be considered another form of domestic violence under the law," O'Brien said in a media release.

"Anyone who purposively injures a defenseless animal deserves a harsh punishment, and like many other laws I have sponsored over my legislative career, I will strongly advocate for this bill’s passage to ensure animal and domestic abusers are held accountable,” O'Brien said.

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• Emaciated Dog Euthanized, Coventry Man Charged With Animal Cruelty: Cops
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The legislation would add animal cruelty offenses to the list of domestic violence crimes committed by a family or household member against another, according to the release.

See also: Dog Left To Starve In Empty Warren Apartment: Cops