CHAPTER 418


99-H 5499
Enacted 7/3/99


A N     A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND HUSBANDRY -- DOGS

Introduced By: Representative Cicilline

Date Introduced : February 2, 1999

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 4-13-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs" is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-13-4. Dog licenses -- Fees -- Penalties. -- (a) (1) Every owner or keeper of a dog shall annually in April obtain a license effective May 1 in the office of the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the owner or keeper resides.

(2) The fees for the license shall be five dollars ($5.00).

(3) No city or town shall issue any license under this section unless the dog has been inoculated against rabies for the period of time which the license would be valid.

(4) All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be valid in every city or town during the then current year.

(5) Any person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog shall obtain a license within thirty (30) days after he or she becomes the owner or keeper.

(6) (i) The Cumberland town clerk may issue a license renewable every two (2) years for a licensing fee of six dollars ($6.00).

(ii) Glocester town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of fourteen dollars ($14.00) for all dogs except spayed or neutered females and males and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.

(iii) Jamestown town council may provide by ordinance for an annual licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for neutered dogs, and not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for unneutered dogs.

(iv) Newport city council may, however, provide by ordinance for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs except unspayed females and for an annual licensing fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed females.

(v) North Smithfield town council may provide by ordinance for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.

(vi) (A) South Kingstown town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for all dogs except spayed or neutered females and male dogs and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.

(B) The South Kingstown town council may assess an impound fee.

(vii) (A) Westerly town council may provide by ordinance for an annual license fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs;

(B) May provide for a fee of one dollar ($1.00) for the replacement of lost dog tags;

(C) May provide that no fee be charged to license guide dogs used by {DEL sensory impaired and handicapped DEL} persons {ADD with disabilities ADD};

(D) May provide for the number of licensed dogs which may be kept at any single-family residence, other than a breeding kennel; and

(E) May provide for pecuniary penalties not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.

(viii) Woonsocket city council may provide by ordinance for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.

(b) Every person, owning or keeping a dog not licensed and/or collared according to the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined ten dollars ($10.00) to be applied to the support of the city or town, and that fine shall be in addition to all other lawful fees.

{ADD (c) Any city or town may waive the fee to be charged to license guide dogs used by persons with disabilities. ADD}

{ADD ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.



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