Senate Bill #2777 (2018)
AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS
Prohibits the sale of dogs until fully weaned unless approval for sale in writing is obtained from a licensed veterinarian. Violations are punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 12 months or $1,000, or both. Pounds and shelters are exempt.
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2018-04-05: Introduced, referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture
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2018-04-19: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/25/2018)
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2018-04-25: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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2018-05-18: Scheduled for consideration (05/23/2018)
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2018-05-23: Committee recommends passage of Sub A
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2018-05-24: Placed on Senate Calendar
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2018-05-24: Placed on Senate Calendar (05/30/2018)
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2018-05-30: Senate passed Sub A
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2018-05-31: Referred to House H.E.W.
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2018-06-19: Scheduled for consideration (06/20/2018)
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2018-06-20: Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence
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2018-06-20: Placed on the House Consent Calendar
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2018-06-20: Committee transferred to House Judiciary
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2018-06-20: Scheduled for consideration (06/20/2018)
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2018-06-21: Placed on the House Consent Calendar (06/21/2018)
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2018-06-21: Placed on the House Consent Calendar (06/22/2018)
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2018-06-22: House passed Sub A in concurrence
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2018-07-02: Signed by Governor
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2018-07-02: Transmitted to Governor
Changes since original draft
2018 – S 2777- 2018 – S 2777 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC004845- LC004845/SUB A
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D- S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
- IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
- JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018
____________ A N A C T- ____________
- A N A C T
- RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – DOGS
- Introduced By: Senator Frank S. Lombardi
- Date Introduced: April 05, 2018
- Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
- It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
- SECTION 1. Chapter 4-13 of the General Laws entitled "Dogs" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
4-13-44. Minimum age for sale of dogs. (a) Except as otherwise authorized under any other provision of law, it shall be a crime, punishable as specified in subsection (c) of this section, for any person to sell (as further described within subsection (b) of this section) one or more dogs under eight (8) weeks of age, unless, prior to any physical transfer of the dog or dogs from the seller to the purchaser, the dog or dogs are approved for sale, as evidenced by written documentation from a veterinarian licensed to practice in Rhode Island. (b) For the purposes of this section, the sale of a dog or dogs shall not be considered complete, and thereby subject to the requirements and penalties of this section, unless and until the seller physically transfers the dog or dogs to the purchaser.- 4-13-44. Minimum maturity level for sale of dogs.
- (a) Except as otherwise authorized under any other provision of law, it shall be a crime, punishable as specified in subsection (c) of this section, for any person to sell or transfer (as further described within subsection (b) of this section) one or more dogs that are not fully weaned, unless, prior to any physical transfer of the dog or dogs from the seller/transferor to the purchaser/transferee, the dog or dogs are approved for sale, as evidenced by written documentation from a veterinarian licensed to practice in Rhode Island.
- (b) For the purposes of this section, the sale or transfer of a dog or dogs shall not be considered complete, and thereby subject to the requirements and penalties of this section, unless and until the seller/transferor physically transfers the dog or dogs to the purchaser/transferee.
- (c) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to imprisonment not to exceed twelve (12) months or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.
(d) With respect to the sale of two (2) or more dogs in violation of this section, each dog unlawfully sold shall represent a separate offense.- (d) With respect to the sale of two (2) or more dogs in violation of this section, each dog unlawfully sold or transferred shall represent a separate offense.
- (e) This section shall not apply in instances where the following types of organizations place a dog into "foster care" pursuant to their respective current practices of operation:
- (1) An organization, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or animal shelter, as defined in § 4-19-2; and
- (2) A pound or dog pound as defined in § 4-19-2.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004845 ========- SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004845/SUB A ========
- EXPLANATION
- BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
- OF
- A N A C T
- RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – DOGS
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This act would prohibit the sale of dogs under eight (8) weeks of age unless approval for sale in writing from a licensed Rhode Island veterinarian with violations subject to imprisonment not to exceed twelve (12) months or one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. Dog pounds and animal shelters would be exempt. This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004845 ========- This act would prohibit the sale or transfer of dogs until fully weaned unless approval for sale/transfer in writing is obtained from a licensed Rhode Island veterinarian. Violations are punishable by imprisonment not to exceed twelve (12) months or one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. Dog pounds and animal shelters would be exempt.
- This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004845/SUB A ========
Votes
NOTE: Electronic voting records are unofficial and may not be accurate. For an official vote tally, check the
House or Senate Journal from the day of the vote.
May 30, 2018 at 4:38pm
Yeas: 34 /
Nays: 0 /
Not voting: 3 /
Recused: 0
Floor vote for PASSAGE
IN CONCURRENCE
June 22, 2018 at 4:36pm
Yeas: 69 /
Nays: 0 /
Not voting: 6 /
Recused: 0