Chapter 457
2016 -- S 2658
Enacted 07/12/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Archambault, Nesselbush, Lombardi, and Conley
Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 4-1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1 entitled "Cruelty to
Animals" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     4-1-5. Malicious injury to or killing of animals. -- (a) Every person who cuts out the
tongue or otherwise dismembers any animal, maliciously,; or maliciously kills or wounds any
animal,; or maliciously administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with intent that
the poison shall be taken or swallowed by any animal,; or who maliciously exposes poisoned
meat with intent that the poison meat is taken or swallowed by any wild animal, shall be
imprisoned not exceeding two (2) five (5) years or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars
($1,000), and shall, in the case of any animal of another, be liable to the owner of this animal for
triple damages, to be recovered by civil action. In addition, any person convicted under this
section is required to serve ten (10) fifty (50) hours of community restitution. The community
restitution penalty shall not be suspended or deferred and is mandatory.
      (b) This section shall not apply to licensed hunters during hunting season or a licensed
business killing animals for human consumption.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004512
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