Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island S2397: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS (Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of n
Status: In committee, June 4, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS (Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $250 or no more than $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment for violating the law on the care of dogs.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 30, 2026:
2026 -- S 2397 ======== LC003221 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS Introduced By: Senators Urso, Tikoian, LaMountain, Bissaillon, Britto, Dimitri, Patalano, Appollonio, and Paolino Date Introduced: January 30, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Sections 4-13-13, 4-13-39 and 4-13-42 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs" are hereby amended to read as follows: 4-13-13. Wrongful removal of collar -- Theft or destruction of licensed dogs -- Poisoning. (a) Whoever wrongfully removes the collar from the neck of a dog licensed and collared according to the provisions of this chapter, or steals a dog licensed or collared, or kills, maims, entices, carries away, or detains a licensed dog, or distributes or exposes a poisonous substance, with the intent that the poisonous substance shall be eaten by a licensed dog, shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) one thousand dollars ($1,000) or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty (30) days, or both, and shall be liable to the dog's owner for damages in a civil action. (b) Any person who has been previously convicted of an offense provided for in …
Sponsors
- Lori Urso (D, SD-008) · primary sponsor
- David Tikoian (D, SD-022)
- Matthew LaMountain (D, SD-031)
- Jacob Bissaillon (D, SD-001)
- Robert Britto (D, SD-018)
- Andrew Dimitri (D, SD-025)
- Todd Patalano (D, SD-026)
- Peter Appollonio (D, SD-029)
- Thomas Paolino (R, SD-017)
Latest actions
- : Referred to House Judiciary
- : Senate passed Sub A
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
Votes
- Senate Seq #340: (June 3, 2026): 36 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage of Sub A (May 26, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage (April 14, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Common questions
- What is S2397?
- S2397 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS (Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of n.
- What does S2397 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS (Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $250 or no more than $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment for violating the law on the care of dogs.)
- What is the status of S2397?
- In committee as of June 4, 2026. Latest action: Referred to House Judiciary (June 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2397?
- Lori Urso (D, SD-008), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2397?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2397A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.