2012 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry
Chapter 4-13 - Dogs
Chapter 4-13-42 - Care of dogs.

§ 4-13-42 Care of dogs. – (a) It shall be a violation of this section for an owner or keeper to:

(1) Keep any dog on a permanent tether that restricts movement of the tethered dog to an area less than one hundred thirteen square feet (113 sq. ft.), or less than a six foot (6') radius at ground level.

(2) Tether a dog with a choke-type collar or prong-type collar.

(3) Keep any dog tethered for more than ten (10) hours during a twenty-four (24) hour period or keep any dog confined in a pen, cage or other shelter for more than fourteen (14) hours during any twenty-four (24) hour period.

(b) It shall be a violation of this section for an owner or keeper to fail to provide a dog with adequate feed, adequate water, or adequate veterinary care as those terms are defined in § 4-19-2; provided however, that adequate veterinary care may be provided by an owner using acceptable animal husbandry practices.

(c) Any person in violation of this section shall be given a warning for a first violation. Second and subsequent violations of this subsection can be considered a violation of § 4-1-2. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply:

(1) If the tethering or confinement is authorized for medical reasons in writing by a veterinarian licensed in Rhode Island, the authorization is renewed annually, and shelter is provided;

(2) If tethering or confinement is authorized in writing by an animal control officer;

(3) To a training facility, grooming facility, commercial boarding kennel, pet shop licensed in accordance with chapter 4-19, animal shelter, municipal pound or veterinary facility;

(4) To licensed hunters, field trial participants or any person raising or training a gun dog or hunting dog, provided that the licensed hunter or field trial hunt test participant is actively engaged in hunting, training or field trial hunt testing or is transporting the dog to or from an event;

(5) To livestock farmers who use their dogs to protect their livestock from predators;

(6) To an exhibitor holding a class C license under the Animal Welfare Act, (7 U.S.C. § 2133) that are temporarily in the state; or

(7) To sled dog owners who are actively training their dogs to pull sleds in winter conditions.

(e) Any person in violation of this section shall be imprisoned not exceeding eleven (11) months, or fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

(f) General agents or special agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) are hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter in cooperation with animal control officers.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2012, ch. 301, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 358, § 2.)