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6/18/2026
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Sen. Urso, Rep. Dawson legislation to protect Rhode Island pets signed into law
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STATE HOUSE — Legislation from Sen. Lori Urso and Rep. Matthew S. Dawson to protect animals from cruelty and neglect by empowering animal control officers to take immediate control of animals they find abandoned, neglected, injured or otherwise cruelly mistreated has been signed into law.
“This legislation addresses an oversight in our laws designed to protect animals,” said Senator Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket). “Animal control officers’ duties often bring them into contact with animals who need rescue and care, but they lack the legal authority to act themselves. By allowing them to take charge of abused animals, without having to refer the case to law enforcement agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, these bills will prevent prolonged suffering and ensure that mistreated animals get the care they need swiftly.”
Said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) “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.”
The legislation (2026-S 2151, 2026-H 7562) allows municipal animal control officers to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned, neglected, cruelly treated or in a dangerous hording situation. Currently this authority is only given to law enforcement agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“I would like to thank Senator Urso and Representative Dawson for their determination and hard work to bring about these important changes to our outdated animal welfare laws.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.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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