Rhode Island Lawmaker Introduces Bills To Protect Pets

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island lawmaker has introduced legislation to protect animals from cruelty and neglect.

State Sen. Lori Urso, D-Pawtucket, brought the bills that would empower animal control officers, update and increase punishments for the mistreatment of animals, and allow Rhode Islanders to sue for non-economic damages when their pet is seriously injured or killed due to an intentional or negligent act of another, according to a media release.

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

“These bills address a series of oversights and out-of-date sections in our laws designed to protect animals," Urso said in the release.

"Our pets are beloved members of our families and this legislation recognizes that, for the first time allowing owners of pets who are seriously injured or killed by another to collect emotional damages,” Urso said.

See also: Emaciated Dog Euthanized, Coventry Man Charged With Animal Cruelty: Cops

“These bills also empower animal control officers to take charge of abused animals, when under current law only law enforcement officers and agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have that authority," she said. "In addition, they update some of the fines and penalties associated with animal cruelty offenses that have not increased in years and are no longer a deterrent to offenders, including unscrupulous breeders who consider the fines simply the cost of doing business.”

One of the three bills would allow municipal animal control officers to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned, neglected or in a dangerous hording situation.

See also: Cat Declawing Outlawed In Rhode Island

Another addresses penalties for the mistreatment of dogs. It would increase the penalties for those who steal, maim or kill a licensed dog from the current minimum fine of $10 to $100, with a maximum fine of $1,000. Subsequent violations would raise the minimum fine to $500, along with up to a year of incarceration. Subsequent offenders would also be required to serve 100 hours of community restitution.

It would also increase the penalties for subsequent violations of inhumane care of dogs to fines between $500 and $2,500 and up to two years of imprisonment.

See also: No Contest Plea In Coventry Animal Cruelty Case

The third bill would address the negligent injury or death of a pet by creating a cause of action for the pet owner to recover non-economic damages from the person responsible. The bill would establish a maximum of $7,500 of damages, with minimums of $500 for serious injury and $750 for death or injury resulting in the death of a pet.

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