Rhode Island authorizes animal control officers to seize abandoned, neglected, or hazardously accumulated animals

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and includes them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this law.)

Last action · June 10, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Lori Urso and 9 others

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Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Rhode Island law now permits municipal animal control officers to lawfully take charge of and provide care for animals found abandoned, neglected, or , designating them as authorized enforcement agents.

Why it matters

Grants municipal animal control personnel direct legal authority to intervene in cases of animal neglect and hazardous accumulation without waiting for other law enforcement officers.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Animal control officers

They receive explicit statutory authority to enforce animal cruelty laws and take charge of abandoned or neglected animals.

Directly affected

Cities and towns

Municipalities now employ animal control officers who possess broadened legal powers to intervene in animal neglect cases.

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is authorized to take charge of neglected animals under this new law?

Municipal animal control officers in cities and towns are authorized to take charge of and provide care to abandoned, neglected, or animals.

What specific conditions trigger the animal control officer's authority?

The authority is triggered when an animal is found abandoned, neglected, or .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Jun 10, 2026Enrolled
Signed by Governor
Jun 4, 2026
Transmitted to Governor
Jun 4, 2026Floor
House passed in concurrence
Jun 2, 2026
Placed on the House Consent Calendar (06/04/2026)
May 28, 2026Floor
Senate read and passed
May 22, 2026
Placed on Senate Calendar (05/28/2026)

Show 5 earlier actions

May 21, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage
May 19, 2026
Scheduled for consideration (05/21/2026)
Apr 14, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Apr 10, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/14/2026)
Jan 16, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

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