Title 4
Animals and Animal Husbandry

Chapter 1.1
Unlawful Confinement of a Covered Animal

R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1.1-4

§ 4-1.1-4. Exceptions. [Effective until July 1, 2026.]

This chapter shall not apply:

(1) During medical research;

(2) Temporary confinement prior to and during examination, testing, individual treatment or operation for veterinary purposes;

(3) During transportation;

(4) During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions or educational programs;

(5) During temporary confinement for animal husbandry purposes for no more than six (6) hours in any twenty-four-hour (24) period unless ordered by a licensed veterinarian;

(6) During the humane slaughter of a sow or pig in accordance with the provisions of chapter 4-17, and other applicable laws and regulations;

(7) To a sow during the fourteen-day (14) period prior to the sows expected date of giving birth and extending for a duration of time until the piglets are weaned. This period may be modified upon the order of a licensed veterinarian;

(8) To calves being trained to exhibit; and

(9) To calves being trained to accept routine confinement in dairy and beef housing.

History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 275, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 285, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 348, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 308, art. 2, § 2.

§ 4-1.1-4. Exceptions. [Effective July 1, 2026.]

This chapter shall not apply:

(1) During medical research;

(2) Temporary confinement prior to and during examination, testing, individual treatment or operation for veterinary purposes;

(3) During transportation;

(4) During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions or educational programs;

(5) During temporary confinement for animal husbandry purposes for no more than six (6) hours in any twenty-four-hour (24) period, unless ordered by a licensed veterinarian;

(6) During the humane slaughter of a covered animal in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17 of this title, and other applicable laws and regulations;

(7) To a sow during the five-day (5) period prior to the sow’s expected date of giving birth and any day that the sow is nursing piglets;

(8) To calves being trained to exhibit;

(9) To calves being trained to accept routine confinement in dairy and beef housing; and

(10) [Expires January 1, 2030] To egg-laying hens kept for commercial egg production until January 1, 2030, at which time this exemption shall expire.

History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 275, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 285, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 348, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 308, art. 2, § 2; P.L. 2024, ch. 233, § 1, effective July 1, 2026; P.L. 2024, ch. 234, § 1, effective July 1, 2026.