Rhode Island General Assembly Passes Bill To Protect Pets

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island General Assembly passed a bill to protect pets.

The proposed legislation was brought by state Sen. Lori Urso, D-Pawtucket, and state Rep. Matthew S. Dawson, D-East Providence.

The bill aims to "protect animals from cruelty and neglect by empowering animal control officers to take immediate control of animals they find abandoned, neglected, injured or otherwise cruelly mistreated," according to a media release.

Related: Rhode Island Lawmaker Introduces Bills To Protect Pets

“This legislation addresses an oversight in our laws designed to protect animals,” Urso said in the release.

“Animal control officers’ duties often bring them into contact with animals who need rescue and care, but they lack the legal authority to act themselves," Urso said. "By allowing them to take charge of abused animals, without having to refer the case to law enforcement agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, these bills will prevent prolonged suffering and ensure that mistreated animals get the care they need swiftly.”

The bill now awaits the signature Gov. Dan McKee.

“This bill is simple and about two things, common sense and protecting defenseless animals from abandonment, abuse and neglect," Dawson said in the release.

"While the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does fine and admirable work, these crimes happen too frequently for the Society to handle this problem on its own," Dawson said. "And it’s common sense to empower our local animal control officers with the ability to lawfully remove animals from dangerous or abusive situations, while also being lawfully able to provide the care and assistance that the animal may need.”

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