2016 -- H 7605

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LC004691

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ucci, Palangio, Winfield, Marshall, and Kazarian

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled "ANIMALS AND ANIMAL

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HUSBANDRY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 27

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INTENTIONAL OR NEGLIGENT DEATH OF PET

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     4-27-1. Cause of action. -- (a) If a person's pet or companion animal is killed or sustains

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injuries which result in death caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent act of another,

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the trier of fact may find the individual causing the death or the owner of the animal causing the

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death liable for up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) in non-economic damages; provided that if

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such death is caused by the negligent or intentional act of another, the death or fatal injury must

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occur on the property of the deceased pet's owner or caretaker, or while under the control and

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supervision of the deceased pet's owner or caretaker.

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     (b) As used in this section, "pet" means any domesticated dog or cat or any companion

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animal normally maintained in or near the household of its owner;

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     (c) This section shall not apply to any not-for-profit entity or governmental agency or

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their employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on the behalf of public health

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or animal welfare; nor shall this section be construed to authorize any award of non-economic

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damages in an action for professional negligence against a licensed veterinarian.

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     4-27-2. Severability. -- If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any

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person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or

 

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applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and

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to that end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall apply to civil actions filed

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on or after the effective date of this act.

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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 create a cause of action for the intentional or negligent death of a pet.

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     This act would take effect upon passage and would apply to civil actions filed on or after

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the effective date of this act.

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LC004691

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