The bill amends Section 4-13.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13.1 entitled "Regulation of Vicious Dogs" to address several aspects of handling dogs associated with dog fighting and vicious behavior. It prohibits the ownership, harboring, training, or use of dogs for the purpose of dog fighting or unprovoked attacks on humans or domestic animals. It also makes it illegal to possess with intent to sell, offer for sale, breed, or buy any dog that has been declared vicious by the vicious dog panel. The bill specifies that dogs lawfully seized under these conditions may be placed in the care of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), and it changes the mandatory placement of such dogs with the RISPCA to a discretionary option.

The bill further outlines the process for determining the disposition of seized dogs, including the possibility of humane euthanasia if the RISPCA evaluates and determines that the dog's medical or behavioral condition warrants it, or if no appropriate placement can be found after reasonable efforts. Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection (e) which states that municipalities transferring dogs to the RISPCA are responsible for the costs incurred for the care and treatment of the dogs, with the costs being reasonable and related to equivalent services in the state. The bill would take effect upon passage and clarifies that euthanasia of vicious dogs is permitted under certain conditions and that municipalities are financially responsible for the care of dogs they surrender to the RISPCA.

Statutes affected:
7840  SUB A: 4-13.1-5