TITLE 4
Animals and Animal Husbandry
CHAPTER 4-22
Cat Identification Program
SECTION 4-22-2
§ 4-22-2 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter:
(a) "At-large" means: (1) On the premises of a person other
than an owner of the cat, without the consent of an occupant or owner of such
premises, or (2) on a public street or highway, on public or private school
grounds, or in any other public place, except when under the physical control
of an owner.
(b) "Roaming cat" means any homeless socialized cat or any
stray socialized cat.
(c) "Feral cat" means any wild, unsocialized or untamed cat.
(d) "Identification" means: a traceable form of
identification such as (1) a collar and a flat or hanging tag worn by a cat
which includes the current name, address and telephone number of the owner, or
(2) a rabies vaccination tax, or (3) an ear tag issued by a licensed
veterinarian or by a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or
(4) a registered microchip which is used in conjunction with a visible collar
and tag or in conjunction with a faceted, reflective ear stud, or (5) a tag
from a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or (6) a tattoo
registered with the National Dog Registry or other similar national tattoo
service, or (7) a cat license issued by a Rhode Island city or town, or (8) a
collar incorporating embroidery as a type of information labeling rather than a
hanging or flat tag or (9) in the case of feral cats, a tipped or notched ear
in conjunction with a microchip or any of the above other forms of
identification. The intent is to allow flexibility in the types of
identification available for cats and to incorporate other types of cat
identification in the future as they are developed.
(e) "Impounded cat" means any cat released to or under the
custody of or control of a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound.
(f) "Owner" means (1) any person who keeps, has permanent
custody, owns, maintains, harbors, provides care or sustenance for, has control
or charge of or responsibility for a cat or who permits a cat to habitually be
or remain on or be lodged or fed within such person's property or premises, and
(2) any refusal to permit any animal control officer to impound such cat shall
be deemed evidence of ownership unless ownership of the cat by another party is
established.
(g) "Person" means an individual, firm, jointstock company,
partnership, association, private, or municipal corporation, state, commission,
political subdivision, a state, any interstate body or the federal government
or any agency or subdivision thereof.
(h) "Guardian" shall mean a person(s) having the same rights
and responsibilities of an owner, and both terms shall be used interchangeably.
A guardian shall also mean a person who possesses, has title to or an interest
in, harbors or has control, custody or possession of an animal and who is
responsible for an animal's safety and well being.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1999, ch. 291, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 72, § 12.)
