Introduced By: Senators Perry, Cicilline J., Gallo and Goodwin
Date Introduced : June 8, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 4-1-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1 entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby amended to read as follows:
4-1-31. Assignment of state veterinarian. -- {ADD (a) Examination of fighting animals. ADD} A licensed veterinarian from the department of environmental management, shall be made available to agents of the Rhode Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals at the request of the state police for the purpose of examining any animal which those agents believe to have been involved in animal fighting in violation of section 4-1-2, 4-1-8, 4-1-9 or 4-1-11.
{ADD (b) Right of entry where cruelty suspected. -- The director of the department of environmental management or any veterinarian employed by the department of environmental management designated by the director for such purpose, having reason to suspect the existence of cruelty to animals within the meaning of this chapter upon any grounds or premises, is hereby authorized and empowered to enter upon those grounds or premises for enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. ADD} {ADD For such inspections, the department shall, unless a search with a warrant is otherwise allowed by law, such a search warrant from an official of a court authorized to issue warrants. ADD}
