Pet-Friendly Measures Pass in East Providence

Cats and dogs in East Providence are likely to be safer thanks to two ordinances the City Council recently passed. 

The council unanimously voted Jan. 4 to prohibit the confinement of animals in motor vehicles. The measure gives law enforcement officers the right to gain entry to a vehicle that has an animal trapped inside and to locate the vehicle's owner.

They can also fine the owner $100 for the first violation. For the second and third violations, the owner faces a $200 and $400 fine respectively, and the seizure of the animal. 

The council also passed an ordinance to prevent the surgical removal of tissue from animals' vocal cords, unless there is a medical reason. The procedure lessens the amount of noise they make. Similar legislation was passed in Massachusetts last year.  

At-Large Councilman William J. Conley Jr. sponsored the ordinances, which are like ones passed in Warwick in December.  

Mayor Bruce Rogers questioned whether the city might receive complaints from people who had their cars broken into by police or animal control officers when they had just left the animal for two minutes.

He said he hoped the officers would use good judgment so the city would not be liable and said he would support the ordinance for the welfare of the animals. 

Dennis Tabella, director of Defenders of Animals, said the prohibition of animal confinement in vehicles was already in effect in 14 states. He lauded East Providence for being a leader in animal rights across Rhode Island.

He added that East Providence was the first city to ban the gassing of cats and dogs at its shelter and that its animal control shelter is one of the best in the state.