TITLE 4

Animals and Animal Husbandry

CHAPTER 4-13

Dogs

SECTION 4-13-42



   § 4-13-42  Care of dogs. –

(a) It shall be a violation of this section for an owner or keeper to:



   (1) Keep any dog on a permanent tether that restricts

movement of the tethered dog to an area less than one hundred thirteen square

feet (113 sq. ft.), or less than a six foot (6') radius at ground level.



   (2) Tether a dog with a choke-type collar or prong-type

collar.



   (3) Keep any dog tethered for more than ten (10) hours during

a twenty-four (24) hour period or keep any dog confined in a pen, cage or other

shelter for more than fourteen (14) hours during any twenty-four (24) hour

period.



   (b) It shall be a violation of this section for an owner or

keeper to fail to provide a dog with adequate feed, adequate water, or adequate

veterinary care as those terms are defined in § 4-19-2; provided however,

that adequate veterinary care may be provided by an owner using acceptable

animal husbandry practices.



   (c) Any person in violation of this section shall be given a

warning for a first violation. Second and subsequent violations of this

subsection can be considered a violation of § 4-1-2. Each day of violation

shall constitute a separate offense.



   (d) The provisions of this section shall not apply:



   (1) If the tethering or confinement is authorized for medical

reasons in writing by a veterinarian licensed in Rhode Island, the

authorization is renewed annually, and shelter is provided;



   (2) If tethering or confinement is authorized in writing by

an animal control officer;



   (3) To a training facility, grooming facility, commercial

boarding kennel, pet shop licensed in accordance with chapter 4-19, animal

shelter, municipal pound or veterinary facility;



   (4) To licensed hunters, field trial participants or any

person raising or training a gun dog or hunting dog, provided that the licensed

hunter or field trial hunt test participant is actively engaged in hunting,

training or field trial hunt testing or is transporting the dog to or from an

event;



   (5) To livestock farmers who use their dogs to protect their

livestock from predators;



   (6) To an exhibitor holding a class C license under the

Animal Welfare Act, (7 U.S.C. § 2133) that are temporarily in the state; or



   (7) To sled dog owners who are actively training their dogs

to pull sleds in winter conditions.



   (e) Any person in violation of this section shall be

imprisoned not exceeding eleven (11) months, or fined not less than fifty

dollars ($50.00) nor exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Each day

of violation shall constitute a separate offense.



   (f) General agents or special agents of the Rhode Island

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) are hereby authorized

to enforce the provisions of this chapter in cooperation with animal control

officers.



History of Section.

(P.L. 2012, ch. 301, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 358, § 2.)