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4/30/2026
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House approves Rep. Dawson’s bill that protects abandoned and abused animals
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STATE HOUSE – The House today approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Matthew S. Dawson that will help assist and protect abandoned and abused animals.
The legislation (2026-H 7562) would allow animal control officers in cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned, abused, neglected or hoarded. Currently, only agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are lawfully allowed to rescue and care for abandoned or abused animals.
“This bill is simple and about two things, common sense and protecting defenseless animals from abandonment, abuse and neglect. While the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does fine and admirable work, these crimes happen too frequently for the Society to handle this problem on its own. And it’s common sense to empower our local animal control officers with the ability to lawfully remove animals from dangerous or abusive situations, while also being lawfully able to provide the care and assistance that the animal may need,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) has introduced the legislation (2026-S 2151).
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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