Abusers of animals now financially responsible for the cost of their care
STATE HOUSE – Until now, Rhode Island law provided that any officer or agent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals may take charge of any animal found abandoned, neglected or mistreated. It also provided that any animal owner convicted of a charge of cruel treatment of an animal taken by the SPCA forfeits the right of ownership of that animal.
To help support the SPCA in its efforts to care for mistreated animals that come under the society’s control, the General Assembly approved and the governor signed into law legislation requiring individuals convicted of or pleading to a charge of animal cruelty to be financially responsible for the cost of care of those animals while in the control of the SPCA.
Recently enacted into law with the governor’s signature and taking immediate effect are Senate bill 2014-S 2311aa, sponsored by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston), and House bill 2014-H 7500A, introduced by Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).
The new law makes several other changes to the law dealing with cruelty to animals:
— Forfeiture of ownership rights to an animal – now the result of conviction of abandonment, neglect or cruel treatment – would also occur for any individual pleading guilty or nolo contendere to those charges.
— The Department of Environmental Management or a veterinarian employed by the department would be given the authority to examine any animal suspected of being cruelly treated and to take charge of that animal. Any animal so seized would remain in the custody of the department until the adjudication of the matter and the individual from whom the animal was seized would be responsible for all reasonable expenses for the care and treatment of the animal while in the department’s custody.