 |
|
4/6/2026
|
Sen. Urso introduces bills to protect Rhode Island pets
|
STATE HOUSE — Sen. Lori Urso has introduced a trio of bills that aims to protect animals from cruelty and neglect by empowering animal control officers, updating and increasing punishments for the mistreatment of animals and allowing Rhode Islanders to sue for non-economic damages when their pet is seriously injured or killed due to intentional or negligent act of another.
“These bills address a series of oversights and out-of-date sections in our laws designed to protect animals. Our pets are beloved members of our families and this legislation recognizes that, for the first time allowing owners of pets who are seriously injured or killed by another to collect emotional damages,” said Senator Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket). “These bills also empower animal control officers to take charge of abused animals, when under current law only law enforcement officers and agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have that authority. In addition, they update some of the fines and penalties associated with animal cruelty offenses that have not increased in years and are no longer a deterrent to offenders, including unscrupulous breeders who consider the fines simply the cost of doing business.”
The first bill (2026-S 2151) would allow municipal animal control officers to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned, neglected or in a dangerous hording situation.
Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2026-H 7562) in the House.
The second bill (2026-S 2397) addresses penalties for mistreatment of dogs. It would increase the penalties for those who steal, maim or kill a licensed dog from the current minimum fine of $10 to $100, with a maximum fine of $1,000. Subsequent violations would raise the minimum fine to $500 and up to one year of imprisonment. Subsequent offenders would also be required to serve 100 hours of community restitution.
It would also increase the penalties for subsequent violations of inhumane care of dogs to fines between $500 and $2,500 and up to two years of imprisonment. Currently there is no increase in penalties for repeat offenders, who face the same fines between $100 and $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment as first-time offenders.
Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced companion legislation (2026-H 7487) in the House.
“I would like to thank Senator Urso and Representatives Bennett, Dawson and Noret for their determination and hard work to bring about these important changes to our outdated animal welfare laws. They answered the call for Rhode Island’s animals and that’s an incredible thing,” said Devan Massie, executive director of the Friends of the Pawtucket Animal Shelter. “These bills are a huge step in the right direction. By providing harsher penalties for abusers and abusive breeders, they will deter repeat offenders who view the current penalties as barely an inconvenience, never mind a deterrence. And giving animal control officers more resources to step in and take a pup from an abusive home is a great backup plan when deterrence doesn’t work. I’m thrilled to see action being taken to bring these changes about.”
The final bill (2026-S 2610) would address the negligent injury or death of a pet by creating a cause of action for the pet owner to recover non-economic damages from the responsible individual. The bill would establish a maximum of $7,500 of damages, with minimums of $500 for serious injury and $750 for death or injury resulting in death of a pet.
Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick) has sponsored the bill (2026-H 7545) in the House.
“I am pleased to join Representative Noret in sponsoring this legislation, and hope that we can be successful on behalf of pet parents who have experienced the unanticipated loss or injury of their beloved pets due to negligence,” said Senator Urso.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
|
|