2018 -- S 2605

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LC004857

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     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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     4-1-37.1. Reports of abandoned, neglected or abused animals.

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     (a) Any Rhode Island licensed veterinarian, veterinarian technician, animal shelter,

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animal kennel or other person charged with the care or custody of an animal shall report to any

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police department (local or state), animal control officials or officers of private organizations

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devoted to the humane treatment of animals, the condition of any animal that the parties entrusted

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with care or custody of an animal knows or reasonably believed to be abandoned (as defined in ยง

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4-1-26), neglected, or abused, and shall be immune from suit by reason of making the report;

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provided, however, that any party under this section who participates or reports in bad faith or

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with malice shall not be protected under the provisions of this section. Any party who fails to

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report pursuant to this section shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

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     (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose a duty to further investigate

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observed or reasonably suspected animal abandonment, cruel neglect, or abuse.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004857

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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 require all persons or entities caring for or having custody of an animal to

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report animal abuse, cruel neglect or abandonment to the police. The party who files a report

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would be protected from liability unless the report was made in bad faith or with malice. The act

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would impose a fine, not to exceed $500, for failure to report but does not impose a duty to

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further investigate.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004857

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