The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs," allowing city or town councils to create and enforce ordinances concerning the regulation of dogs, including the destruction or disposition of the animal, or by imposing fines. The fines for offenses are capped at $10 for the first offense, $15 for the second offense within a year, and $25 for the third and subsequent offenses within a year. The bill also specifies the authority of town councils in several towns to enact ordinances related to dog control, including the regulation of the number of licensed dogs at a single-family residence and the issuance of citations by animal control officers, with fines that vary by town and generally increase with each subsequent offense within a calendar year.

Additionally, the bill grants authority to the Richmond town council and other specified town councils to establish fines for repeated animal control offenses within a year, with the ability for animal control or police officers to issue citations for fines up to $500, payable by mail. The Pawtucket city council is authorized to impose fines related to the ownership of pit bulls, with fines up to $1,000 for repeated offenses and potential imprisonment for unlicensed pit bulls. The bill also includes provisions for the impoundment of dogs and the fees associated with reclaiming them. A new section is added regarding the collaring of dogs and the impoundment and disposition of uncollared dogs, with specific fees outlined for various towns. The act will take effect upon passage. No deletions from the current law are indicated in the bill.