The bill amends Section 4-13-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs," granting city and town councils the authority to create and enforce ordinances concerning dogs, with penalties for offenses ranging from fines to impoundment costs. The bill sets out specific fine amounts for various towns, such as up to $75 in Barrington and $100 in Bristol for third and subsequent offenses within a calendar year. It also allows for the regulation of the number of licensed dogs at a single-family residence, excluding breeding kennels. Towns like Cumberland, Middletown, Narragansett, and Newport are given the power to establish their own fine structures and enforcement mechanisms, including mail-in citations.

Additionally, the bill empowers councils of towns like Richmond, Scituate, and Smithfield to set fines for animal control offenses, with Richmond allowing fines up to $100 and Scituate up to $50 for repeated offenses within a year. Smithfield's previous authority to prescribe specific fines has been removed, and instead, the town is permitted to determine penalties through revised general ordinances. Other councils, including Tiverton, Warwick, and Pawtucket, can enact ordinances for animal control violations with varying fines and mail-in payment options. Notably, Pawtucket can impose fines up to $1,000 and imprisonment for pit bull-related offenses. The bill is set to take effect upon passage, and there are no insertions or deletions indicated in the provided text.

Statutes affected:
7657: 4-13-1