2019 -- S 0167

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LC000679

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch Prata, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2019

     Referred To: Senate 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 28

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PROHIBITION OF WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMALS IN TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS

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     4-28-1. Definitions.

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     As used in this section:

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     (1) "Mobile or traveling housing facility" means a vehicle, including a truck, trailer, or

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railway car, used to transport or house an animal used for performance.

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     (2) "Performance" means any animal act, carnival, circus, display, exhibition, exposition,

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fair, parade, petting zoo, presentation, public showing, race, ride, trade show, or similar

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undertaking in which animals perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniments for the

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entertainment, amusement, or benefit of a live audience.

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     (3) "Traveling animal act" means any performance which requires an animal to be

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transported to or from the location of the performance in a mobile or traveling housing facility.

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     (4) "Wild or exotic animal" is defined as an animal that is native to a foreign country or

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of foreign origin or character, not native to the United States, or was introduced to the United

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States from abroad.

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     4-28-2. Prohibition.

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     No person shall use a wild or exotic animal in a traveling animal act.

 

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     4-28-3. Penalties.

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     Any person who violates the provisions of section ยง 4-28-2 shall be fined not more than

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one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or by both

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such fine and imprisonment.

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     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

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     This act would prohibit the use of wild or exotic animals in traveling animal acts and sets

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forth the penalties for violation of such prohibition.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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