R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-4-11 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-4 / Section 4-4-11
§ 4-4-11. Interference with enforcement  Violation of quarantine.
Status: in_force

Any person or persons who shall willfully or intentionally interfere with any officers, duly authorized to carry out the provisions of this chapter is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction is liable to imprisonment not exceeding three (3) months, or a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100), or both, at the discretion of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-25 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-1 / Section 4-1-25
§ 4-1-25. Appropriations for prevention of cruelty  Payments to society.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum it deems necessary, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the director of environmental management, for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals, and the director may pay that sum to the Rhode Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals for that purpose, and the state controller is authorized to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of any sum appropriated, or so much of the sum as may be required, upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers approved by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-37 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-1 / Section 4-1-37
§ 4-1-37. Immunity from suit.
Status: in_force

Any person entrusted with the care and custody of an animal, including, but not limited to, any Rhode Island licensed veterinarian, veterinarian technician, animal shelter, or animal kennel, shall be held harmless from either criminal or civil liability arising out of any reports, either oral or written, made to local or state police, animal control officials, or officers of private organizations devoted to humane treatment of animals, concerning any animal that the veterinarian knows, or reasonably believed, to be abandoned, neglected, or abused, and shall be immune from suit by reason of making the report. Provided, however, that a veterinarian who participates or reports in bad faith or with malice shall not be protected under the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-6-4 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-6 / Section 4-6-4
§ 4-6-4. Brucellosis test.
Status: in_force

All cattle in the state shall be tested for brucellosis in a manner which conforms to the standards proposed and accepted by the United States livestock sanitary association and the United States department of agriculture. The director of environmental management shall establish the number of tests to be conducted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-19-23 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-19 / Section 4-19-23
§ 4-19-23. Pets for veterans.
Status: in_force

(a) A public animal shelter shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the public animal shelter a current and valid drivers license or identification card with the word veteran printed on its face pursuant to § 31-10-48.

(b) A public animal shelter may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that public animal shelter pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to one dog or cat during a period of every six (6) months.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-36 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-13 / Section 4-13-36
§ 4-13-36. Agent of Robert Potter league for animals in town of Portsmouth as special constable.
Status: in_force

The town council of the town of Portsmouth may appoint an agent of the Robert Potter league for animals as special constable or officer to enforce this chapter, and when appointed, that agent shall have all the authority and power and be subject to all the duties and liabilities imposed upon special officers by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-8-11 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-8 / Section 4-8-11
§ 4-8-11. Applications for investigation.
Status: in_force

If either party to the transaction of purchase and sale between a milk producer and a licensed buyer of milk is dissatisfied relative to any transaction of purchase and sale of milk between a milk producer and a licensed buyer of milk, he or she may apply to the director of environmental management, in writing, within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the milk to the licensed buyer, for investigation. The director shall treat the application as a complaint, and cause a full investigation of the transaction complained of to be made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-4-1 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-4 / Section 4-4-1
§ 4-4-1. Appointment of inspectors to inspect diseased animals  Quarantine  Veterinarians.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of environmental management may appoint one or more inspectors in the state, whose duty it is to visit and inquire into the condition of any domestic animal in the state whenever there is reason to suspect that any domestic animal, the carcass of any domestic animal or tissues or products, is affected with a contagious, infectious, zoonotic, or communicable disease; and the inspectors are authorized to quarantine any domestic animal, the carcass of any diseased domestic animal, or restrict the movement of any tissues or products produced by any domestic animal suspected of being affected with a contagious, infectious, zoonotic, or communicable disease until such quarantine or movement restriction is released by a veterinarian employed by the director. The director may also employ, from time to time, any number of veterinary surgeons that he or she may find necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(b) The director of the department of environmental management may establish quarantine or control zones consistent with state and United States Department of Agriculture emergency plans to restrict the movement of animals, animal carcasses, animal tissues, and animal products suspected of being affected with a contagious, infectious, zoonotic, or communicable disease. Any control or quarantine zone established under this authority will remain in effect until the chief of agriculture and/or the state veterinarian determine that the zone is no longer necessary to mitigate the threat of disease.

(c) The director of the department of environmental management may order examination or testing of any quarantined animal or animal in a quarantine or control zone for disease surveillance purposes or as a term of the order of quarantine. The director may authorize qualified department personnel to carry out any examination or testing or may order the testing to be performed by a licensed veterinarian qualified to perform the testing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-14-20 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-14 / Section 4-14-20
§ 4-14-20. Use of the terms owner or guardian.
Status: in_force

Wherever the word owner shall appear in this chapter it shall also mean and may be interchanged with the word guardian as defined in § 4-1-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-25 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-13 / Section 4-13-25
§ 4-13-25. Election of special constable and appraiser in Pawtucket.
Status: in_force

The council of the city of Pawtucket shall in the month of February in each year elect a special constable under the dog law, and an appraiser of damage done by dogs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-9 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-1 / Section 4-1-9
§ 4-1-9. Animal fighting.
Status: in_force

Any person who causes or encourages the fighting of any bird, dog, or animal with any other bird, dog, or animal, or keeps or maintains any place for the fighting of birds, dogs, or animals, or who knowingly permits, or suffers, any fight to be had on the persons premises or on premises under the persons control, or makes any bet or lays any wager of any kind upon the result of that fight, shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or be imprisoned not exceeding two (2) years, or both, for the first offense, and for a second and any subsequent offense shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or be imprisoned not exceeding five (5) years, or both. In addition, every person convicted of a first offense shall be required to perform twenty (20) hours of community service. Every person convicted of a subsequent offense shall be required to perform fifty (50) hours of community service. The community service penalty shall not be suspended or deferred.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-23 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-13 / Section 4-13-23
§ 4-13-23. Sworn testimony before appraiser.
Status: in_force

Whenever any owner of a sheep or lamb, cattle, horse, hog or fowl, suffering loss by reason of the biting, maiming or killing by any dog, notifies the appraiser as provided in §§ 4-13-20 and 4-13-21, the appraiser shall require the owner and any other person to be sworn before him or her, touching the loss, and, when sworn, to answer in writing as to any facts or circumstances relating to the loss, and the special constable or appraiser shall administer the oath.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-21-1 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-21 / Section 4-21-1
§ 4-21-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) Engages in an equine activity means riding, training, assisting in veterinary treatment of, driving, or being a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted, visiting or touring or utilizing an equine facility as part of an organized event or activity, or any person assisting a participant or show management. The term engages in an equine activity does not include being a spectator at an equine activity, except in cases where the spectator knowingly places himself in a restricted area.

(2) Equine means a horse, pony, mule, or donkey.

(3) Equine activity means:

(i) Equine shows, fairs, competitions, or performances that involve any or all breeds of equines and any of the equine disciplines, including, but not limited to, dressage, hunter and jumper horse shows, grand prix jumping, three-day events, combined training, rodeos, riding, driving, pulling, cutting, polo, steeplechasing, English and western performance riding, endurance trail riding, gymkhana games, and hunting;

(ii) Equine training or teaching activities, or both;

(iii) Boarding equines, including their normal daily care;

(iv) Riding, inspecting, or evaluating by a purchaser or an agent an equine belonging to another, whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect, or evaluate the equine;

(v) Rides, trips, hunts or other equine activities of any type, however informal or impromptu, that are sponsored by an equine activity sponsor;

(vi) Placing or replacing horseshoes or hoof trimming on an equine; and

(vii) Providing or assisting in veterinary treatment.

(4) Equine activity sponsor means an individual, group, club, partnership, or corporation, whether or not the sponsor is operating for profit or not for profit, which sponsors, organizes, or provides the facilities for an equine activity, including but not limited to, pony clubs, 4-H clubs, hunt clubs, riding clubs, school and college-sponsored classes, programs and activities, therapeutic riding programs, stable and farm owners and operators, instructors, and promoters or equine facilities, including but not limited to farms, stables, clubhouses, pony ride strings, fairs, and arenas at which the activity is held.

(5) Equine professional means a person engaged for compensation to:

(i) Instruct a participant or rent to a participant an equine for the purpose of riding, driving or being a passenger upon the equine;

(ii) Rent equipment or tack to a participant;

(iii) Provide daily care of horses boarded at an equine facility; or

(iv) Train an equine.

(6) Inherent risks of equine activities means those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of equine activities, including but not limited to:

(i) The propensity of equines to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around them;

(ii) The unpredictability of an equines reaction to things as sounds, sudden movement, and unfamiliar objects, persons, or other animals;

(iii) Collisions with other equines or objects; or

(iv) The potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, as failing to maintain control over the equine or not acting within his or her ability.

(7) Participant means any person, whether amateur or professional, who engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-15-5 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-15 / Section 4-15-5
§ 4-15-5. Animals in private ways in Newport.
Status: in_force

Horses, neat-cattle, sheep, and hogs are deemed to be at large within the meaning of this chapter within the limits of any private way in the city of Newport, without the consent of the owners of the fee in that private way, and that private way, for the purpose of authorizing the taking up and impounding of those animals, is deemed a common within the meaning of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-4-15 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-4 / Section 4-4-15
§ 4-4-15. Cooperation in federal Bangs disease plan.
Status: in_force

The state department of environmental management shall cooperate with the United States government in connection with the prevailing federal plan for the control and eradication of Bangs disease and that department may make reasonable rules and regulations governing the control and eradication of Bangs disease including federal approved vaccinal procedures; and the general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes in the operation of a plan for the payment of positive reactors to the Bangs disease test and the eradication of that contagious and infectious disease.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-17-3 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-17 / Section 4-17-3
§ 4-17-3. Shackling and hoisting.
Status: in_force

No slaughterer, packer, or stockyard operator shall shackle, hoist, or otherwise bring livestock into position for slaughter by any method which causes injury or pain.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-14-12 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-14 / Section 4-14-12
§ 4-14-12. Replevin bond.
Status: in_force

The writ shall not be served unless the plaintiff or some one in his or her behalf executes and delivers to the officer a bond to the defendant, with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the officer, in a penalty double the value of the beasts to be replevied, with condition to prosecute the replevin to final judgment and to pay any damages and costs as the defendant shall recover against him or her, and also to return the beasts in case that is the final judgment, which bond the officer shall return with the writ, to be left with the court for the use of the defendant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-3-6 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-3 / Section 4-3-6
§ 4-3-6. Cooking or treatment of garbage.
Status: in_force

All garbage, regardless of previous processing, shall, before being fed to swine, be thoroughly heated to two hundred twelve degrees Fahrenheit (212 degrees F.) for at least thirty (30) minutes, unless treated in some other manner which shall be approved in writing by the director as being equally effective for the protection of public health.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-18-9 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-18 / Section 4-18-9
§ 4-18-9. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The director may make reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter concerning the following:

(1) Quarantine facilities and operating standards;

(2) Primary enclosures;

(3) Animal health and husbandry standards;

(4) Quarantine records;

(5) Quarantine reporting;

(6) The establishment of certain classes, orders, families, genera and species of animals which may be imported into, received, or possessed in this state without permit; and

(7) The establishment of certain classes, orders, families, genera and species of animals other than those specified in § 4-18-3 which may be imported into, received or possessed in this state subject to obtaining a permit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-24-11 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-24 / Section 4-24-11
§ 4-24-11. Responsibility for enforcement.
Status: in_force

The local animal control officer shall be responsible for the enforcement and administration of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-11-3 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-11 / Section 4-11-3
§ 4-11-3. Records to be kept by dealers.
Status: in_force

(a) Persons who import, purchase, breed, sell, exchange, barter, give away, or otherwise deal in psittacine birds shall keep records of each bird consisting of the following data:

(1) Breeders name and address;

(2) Identifying band number;

(3) Species of bird;

(4) Date of transfer to new owner; and

(5) Name and address of new owner.

(b) These records shall be kept for a minimum period of two (2) years and be subject to inspection by the local health officer or a representative of the state department of environmental management.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-11-5 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-11 / Section 4-11-5
§ 4-11-5. Banding of breeding stock.
Status: in_force

All psittacine breeding stock must be closed metal seamless banded by January 1, 1960.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-7-1 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-7 / Section 4-7-1
§ 4-7-1. License required.
Status: in_force

No person, firm or corporation, wherever located, who, in the judgment of the director of environmental management, is primarily engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging livestock within the state shall engage in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging livestock within the state, except for slaughter within seventy-two (72) hours, without first obtaining a license from the director of environmental management.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-24-10 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-24 / Section 4-24-10
§ 4-24-10. Penalty for violation.
Status: in_force

Any person who violates the permit provisions of this chapter shall have no more than thirty (30) days to have their cat spayed or neutered or provide proof from a licensed veterinarian indicating that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter their cat(s). The animal control officer shall inform persons subject to this law to the availability of reduced cost or free spay/neuter programs available for low income persons and any programs sponsored by local humane organizations offering low cost spaying or neutering. If an animal is not spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days of the notice, he or she shall be subject to a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) fine for each thirty (30) days the animal is not spayed or neutered. Funds generated pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the spay/neuter account of the city or town where the violation occurred to be used to fund low-cost spay/neuter programs in accordance with § 4-24-13.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-19-4.2 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-19 / Section 4-19-4.2
§ 4-19-4.2. Prohibition on sales in public places.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease, or display for a commercial purpose any dog or cat on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, other recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market, or commercial or retail parking lot regardless of whether such access is authorized.

(b) This section shall not apply to the following:

(1) The display or adoption of dogs or cats by an animal shelter, pound, or rescue as defined in this chapter; or

(2) The display of dogs or cats as part of a state or county fair exhibition, 4-H program, or similar exhibitions or educational programs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-2-13 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-2 / Section 4-2-13
§ 4-2-13. Cooperation with other entities.
Status: in_force

The director may cooperate with and enter into agreements with governmental agencies of this state, other states, agencies of the federal government, and private associations in order to carry out the purpose and provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-2-1 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-2 / Section 4-2-1
§ 4-2-1. Title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Rhode Island Commercial Feed Law of 1977.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-4-25 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-4 / Section 4-4-25
§ 4-4-25. Signature of orders and notices.
Status: in_force

All orders, appointments and notices from the director of environmental management, except the order of notice provided for in § 4-4-19, shall bear his or her signature.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-14 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-1 / Section 4-1-14
§ 4-1-14. Appeal of sentence of forfeiture.
Status: in_force

Any claimant aggrieved by a sentence of forfeiture of a district court may, before the execution of that sentence, appeal to the superior court in the manner provided with reference to criminal appeals from district courts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-19-13 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-19 / Section 4-19-13
§ 4-19-13. Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The director may, as he or she deems indicated and appropriate, promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the objectives and intent of this chapter for the purpose of carrying out those objectives and intent. Those rules and regulations may include, but are not limited to, provisions relating to humane transportation to and from registered or licensed premises, records of purchase and sale, identification of animals handled, primary enclosures, housing facilities, sanitation, euthanasia, ambient temperatures, feeding, watering, adequate veterinary medical care, disposition and voluntary surrender of animals at shelters with and without a request for disposition or destruction of the animal. He or she may, at his or her discretion, after public hearing, adopt in whole or in part, those portions of the rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of the United States department of agriculture pursuant to the provisions of the animal welfare act, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq., which are consistent with the intent and purpose of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-3-5 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-3 / Section 4-3-5
§ 4-3-5. Requirements for permit.
Status: in_force

The following conditions are required for a garbage feeding permit:

(1) The feeding area is equipped with a cement base or constructed of other material approved by the director;

(2) The feeding area or platforms shall be constructed as to be readily cleaned daily, and to allow for all refuse to be disposed of;

(3) Housing meets existing sanitary and humane standards, regarding ventilation, drainage, and warmth;

(4) Premises upon which swine are kept must be kept clean and sanitary and meet the regulations of the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-21 — RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-1 / Section 4-1-21
§ 4-1-21. Powers of agents of society for prevention of cruelty to animals.
Status: in_force

The general agent of the Rhode Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and any number of special agents as may be appointed by that society have the same power and authority to arrest as any officer authorized to serve criminal process for the purpose of enforcing any of the laws of this state in relation to cruelty to animals, that power and authority to extend throughout the state, and they may serve any search warrant issued under § 4-1-19 and may search any building or place named in that warrant. A general agent and any special agents may, for the purpose of carrying out their duties, possess and carry pistols as defined in § 11-47-2, and the provisions of § 11-47-8 shall not apply to them. Any person who interferes with or obstructs any of those agents in the discharge of their duty shall be guilty of obstructing an officer and punished as provided in § 11-32-1.