It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 4-19-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-19 entitled "Animal Care" is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-19-12. Disposition of animals -- (a) The governing body of the political subdivision regulating the operation of a pound shall determine the method of disposition of animals released by that pound. The board of directors of an incorporated humane society shall determine the method of disposition of animals released by its animal shelter.

(b) (1) No dog officer shall give or sell or negotiate for the gift or sale to a dealer or research facility of any animal which may come into his or her custody in the course of carrying out his or her official assignments.

(2) No dog officer shall be granted a dealer's license. Each application for a dealer's license shall include a statement made under oath, that neither the applicant or any member or employee of the firm, partnership, or corporation making application is a dog officer within the meaning of this chapter.

(3) A dog officer, or incorporated humane society, upon taking custody of any animal in the course of his or her their official duties, shall immediately make a record of the matter in the manner prescribed by the director and the record shall include a description of the animal including color, breed, sex, approximate weight, reason for seizure, location of seizure, the owner's name and address if known and all license or other identification numbers if any. Complete information relating to the disposition of the animal shall be added in the manner provided by the director immediately after disposition. Such information shall be forwarded monthly to the department of environmental management.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.