2014 -- H 7888

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LC004920

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - DOGS

     Introduced By: Representatives Ucci, Winfield, Martin, Abney, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-13 of the General Laws entitled "Dogs" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following section:

     4-13-44. Dogs imported into Rhode Island. – (a) All persons, individuals,

organizations, businesses, nonprofits and any other kind or type of entity (hereinafter collectively

referred to as "entity") involved in the importation of dogs from out of state shall have every dog

placed in isolation for a minimum period of forty-eight (48) hours upon arrival into a facility

approved by the department and maintained by the entity.

     (b) The dogs shall then be examined by a Rhode Island licensed veterinarian who, if

appropriate, shall declare in writing that such dog:

     (1) Is in good health and appears to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases or

exposure thereto;

     (2) Appears to be free of any physical abnormalities which would endanger the dog; and

     (3) Originates from an area not quarantined for rabies and has not been exposed to rabies.

Each and every dog not meeting these requirements will be placed in a quarantine room, not

given a health certificate and will be re-examined, when appropriate, and provided with a valid

health certificate based on the results of the examination.

     (c) A Rhode Island licensed veterinarian must verify a rabies immunization and issue a

new valid health certificate regarding any dog entering the state of Rhode Island from another

state before the dog can be transferred to a new owner.

     (d) Thoroughbred dogs as described in § 4-13-10 shall be exempt from the requirements

of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - DOGS

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     This act would require that all dogs except thoroughbreds, imported into Rhode Island be

quarantined for at least forty-eight (48) hours to allow a veterinarian to examine the dog and

either issue a health certificate or continue the quarantine until the dog is free of any and all

diseases.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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