2012 -- S 2192 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC00177/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Sosnowski, Walaska, McCaffrey, and Bates

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-1-6.1. Operating upon tails of bovines prohibited. -- (a) Any person who

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intentionally cuts or alters the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of the tail of any bovine or

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otherwise operates upon it in any manner for the purpose or with the effect of docking, setting, or

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otherwise altering the natural carriage of the tail, or who knowingly permits the same to be done

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upon the premises of which he or she is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or who assists in or

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is voluntarily present at such cutting or alteration, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by

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imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars

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($500), or both. If any bovine is found with the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of its tail cut or

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altered as aforesaid upon the premises or in the charge and custody of any person, and the wound

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resulting therefrom is unhealed, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this

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section by the owner or user of such premises, or the person having such charge or custody.

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     (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to tail docking

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performed by a veterinarian for veterinary purposes, provided that the procedure is performed

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under the following conditions:

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     (1) The animal has been adequately anesthetized to minimize the animal’s pain and

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suffering during the treatment or operation.

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     (2) The procedure is done in a way that minimizes the long-term pain and suffering

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resulting from the procedure.

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     (3) The veterinarian uses suitable instruments.

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     (4) The procedure is done under hygienic conditions.

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     (c) The owner of any bovine with a docked tail who purchased the bovine in a state

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where tail docking is legal shall be exempt from prosecution under this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00177/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

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     This act would prohibit the docking and altering of the tails of bovines except under

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certain conditions.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00177/SUB A

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