2022 -- H 8278

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LC005708

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Baginski, Potter, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: May 20, 2022

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 4-1-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1 entitled "Cruelty to

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Animals" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     4-1-22. Care of neglected animals by society -- Forfeiture of owner's rights --

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Expenses.

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     (a) An officer or agent of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

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may lawfully take charge of any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated

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as defined in § 4-1-1, or that in the opinion of that officer or agent, is aged, maimed, disabled, lame,

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sick, diseased, injured, unfit for the labor it is performing, or cruelly treated, and shall give notice

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to the owner, if known, or his or her agents, and may provide suitable care.

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     (b) Every owner or agent, upon conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere, of

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abandonment, neglect, hazardous accumulation as defined in § 4-1-1, or otherwise cruel treatment

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of any animal taken charge of by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

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under this section, or upon the failure to make payment for the cost of care provided by the Rhode

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Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals within thirty (30) days of written demand

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for payment shall forfeits forfeit the rights to ownership or control of that animal to the Society for

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disposition in any manner deemed suitable for that animal.

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     (c) Whenever any officer or agent of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

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to Animals lawfully takes charge of any animal under this section, all reasonable expenses for the

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care and treatment of the animal(s), while in the custody of the Society during this time, shall be

 

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paid for by the owner, guardian, or his or her agent upon conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo

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contendere. The Society has the authority to commence a civil action for damages against the owner

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or his or her agent thirty (30) days after a written demand for payment of the expense of the suitable

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care of that animal has been sent and no payment has been received. The cost of such care and

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treatment that is billed to the owner shall be reasonable and just related to equivalent services

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provided by veterinary care and animal sheltering, feeding and boarding services in this state.

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     (d) The owner of any animal that is in the charge of the Rhode Island Society for the

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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pursuant to the authority granted in this section may, within sixty

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(60) days following the date that the Society gives notice of the taking of possession of the animal,

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file with the district court a petition asking the court to order the return of custody of the animal to

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the owner.

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     (e) Upon the filing of such petition the court shall cause a summons to be issued requiring

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an authorized representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to appear in

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court at the time and place named, which summons shall be served not less than fourteen (14) days

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before the date of the hearing.

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     (f) At the hearing on the petition, the court shall consider:

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     (1) The animal’s condition;

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     (2) The care required to maintain the animal safely and in an appropriate environment; and

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     (3) The ability of the petitioner to provide adequate care including during the time any

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criminal charges related to or arising from the seizure are pending.

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     (g) If, after hearing, the court finds that the owner of the animal has the ability to properly

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care for the animal during the pendency of the criminal charges, the court may allow the owner of

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the animal to have the care, custody and control of the animal pending the final determination of

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the related criminal charges subject to such restrictions and conditions as the court determines to

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be reasonable or necessary.

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     (h) All issues will be decided upon the preponderance of the evidence and the

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determination of the district court shall be final and conclusive subject to an appeal pursuant to §

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9-12-10.

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     (i) In the event that the court orders an animal returned to the owner following the hearing,

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the owner will not be required to pay for the cost of care incurred prior to the date of the hearing

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unless and until such time there has been a conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere,

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of abandonment, neglect, hazardous accumulation as defined in § 4-1-1, or otherwise cruel

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treatment in any related criminal proceeding.

 

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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 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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     This act would provide that owners of animals in the custody of the Rhode Island Society

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for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) shall pay reasonable expenses for the animals

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care or the animal may be forfeited to the RISPCA. This act further provides that the owner of an

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animal in RISPCA custody may file an action in the district court for return of the animal.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005708

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