2016 -- H 8197

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LC005930

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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 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, O'Brien, Shekarchi, Canario, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     4-1-43. Use of bullhooks or similar devices on elephants prohibited. – (a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who houses, possesses, or is in direct

contact with an elephant utilized in a traveling show shall not:

     (1) Use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or similar device designed

to inflict pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant; or

     (2) Permit an employee, agent, or contractor to use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe

handle, pitchfork, or similar device designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training or

controlling the behavior of an elephant.

     (b) For purposes of this section "traveling show" means a circus, public show, trade

show, photographic opportunity, carnival, city or county fair, ride, parade, race, performance or

similar undertaking that involves transporting elephants from location to location or otherwise

moves elephants away from a place of permanent residency for performance purposes. The term

"traveling show" does not include the transportation of an elephant between nonprofit United

States Department of Agriculture licensed sanctuaries for the purpose of providing lifetime care.

     (c) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than

five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or by both

such fine and imprisonment.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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     This act would prohibit the use of bullhooks or similar devices designed to inflict pain for

the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of elephants utilized in traveling shows.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2017.

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