A Rhode Island bill that would force dog owners to forfeit their dogs if convicted of even minor animal-related offenses has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 5113 creates an animal-abuser registry that includes all animal-related offenses, even minor violations unrelated to the health or well-being of a dog. People convicted under the law would be forced to register, would appear on the registry for 15 years and would be prohibited from owning any animals during that period.
House Bill 5113 passed the House with a vote of 55 to 16 on May 23. The bill has yet to have a hearing in the Senate.
Take Action Today! Rhode Island members should call the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to vote NO on HB 5113.
HB 5113 lumps all offenses, from the truly heinous to the completely minor, and publicly shames people as animal abusers. For example, if you don’t buy your dog’s license before it expires, you could be forced to register and would not be allowed to purchase another animal for at least 15 years. Worse, the registry would include the addresses of violators, which would expose kennels, dog owners and their family members to targeting by animal-rights extremists. Anyone failing to register would face up to a $1,000 fine, jail time of up to a year or both.
Contact the Senate Judiciary Committee!
| Senator Erin Lynch Prata | (401) 737-4200 |
| Senator Stephen R. Archambault | (401) 276-5589 |
| Senator Cynthia Armour Coyne | (401) 222-6655 |
| Senator Dawn Euer | (401) 276-5589 |
| Senator Frank S. Lombardi | (401) 453-3900 |
| Senator Mark P. McKenney | (401) 276-5599 |
| Senator Harold M. Metts | (401) 272-0112 |
| Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis | (401) 229-4146 |
| Senator Jessica de la Cruz | (401)222-6655 |
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