The bill amends Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws, "Cruelty to Animals," to strengthen protections for animals and clarify the responsibilities of their owners. A significant insertion is the new section 4-1-3, which defines unnecessary cruelty and expands the obligations of animal owners regarding their care and treatment. It empowers animal control officers to take possession of animals in cases of neglect or abandonment, requiring them to provide adequate care and notify the owner of a hearing within 48 hours. If a court finds evidence of cruelty or neglect, the owner's rights to the animal may be terminated, and they will be liable for the costs incurred during the animal's care.

Additionally, the bill revises penalties for malicious injury or killing of animals, increasing the maximum fine from $1,000 to $5,000 and mandating 50 hours of community restitution for offenders. It introduces section 4-1-22, allowing the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to take charge of neglected or abandoned animals and establishes a framework for forfeiture of ownership rights upon conviction of animal cruelty. The bill also modifies the process for handling seized animals, allowing for a court determination of custody based on the owner's ability to provide adequate care, while deleting previous requirements for owners to pay for care costs incurred before a conviction. If the owner fails to petition for custody or cover care costs within 60 days, the Society can petition for ownership transfer. The bill emphasizes timely hearings and the financial responsibilities of owners, ensuring animal welfare is prioritized in legal proceedings.