2013 -- H 5731

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LC01374

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY- ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Palangio, Lima, DeSimone, and Winfield

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 4-15-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-15 entitled "Animals at

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Large" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     4-15-2. Appointment of field drivers. -- Appointment of field drivers – Animal

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control officers. -- (a) The town and city councils of the several towns and cities may appoint

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one or more field drivers for their cities and towns, with the same power to impound animals as

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the freeholders and qualified voters of the cities and towns.

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     (b) For the purpose of this chapter, the terms "field driver" and "animal control officer"

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shall be synonymous with, and subject to the provisions of section 4-15-2.1.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 4-15 of the General Laws entitled "Animals at Large" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-15-2.1. Animal control officers. -- (a) Any person hired as an animal control officer

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subsequent to January 1, 2015 shall be certified by the department of environmental management.

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This provision shall not apply to individuals currently employed or hired prior to January 1, 2015.

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     (b) The department of environmental management shall within one hundred and twenty

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(120) days of the passage of this section, promulgate rules and regulations regarding the training

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and certification of animal control officers. These rules and regulations shall provide for a

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training and certification program to be developed and conducted by the department of

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environmental management in conjunction with Defenders of Animals Inc., a nonprofit Rhode

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Island corporation, and/or any successor entity thereto. This training and certification program

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shall incorporate instruction that shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:

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     (1) Laws effecting animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty;

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     (2) Domestic and wild animal behavior;

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     (3) Handling and treatment of deceased or stray animals;

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     (4) Emergency procedures and conflict resolution skills; and

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     (5) The use of firearms and tranquilizer guns.

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     (c) No person shall be certified as an animal control officer unless he or she can

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demonstrate proficient knowledge of the subjects set forth in this chapter.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01374

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY- ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS

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     This act would require pre-certification by the department of environmental management

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of all people hired as an animal control officer subsequent to January 1, 2015. It would also

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require the department to act in conjunction with Defenders of Animals to develop a program for

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training and certification as an animal control officer.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01374

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