§ 4-1-23. Destruction of infirm animals by society.
If, upon examination by a licensed graduate veterinarian of any animal taken possession of under § 4-1-22, the veterinarian certifies, in writing, to the society that the animal is so aged, maimed, disabled, lame, sick, diseased, or injured as to be unfit for any useful purpose, any officer or agent of the society may lawfully and humanely destroy that animal or cause it to be humanely destroyed, and the society, its officers and agents, are exonerated from all liability to the owner of that animal on account of its destruction.
History of Section.G.L. 1956, ch. 640, § 4; P.L. 1945, ch. 1651, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 4-1-23.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry
Chapter 4-1 - Cruelty to Animals
Section 4-1-1. - Definitions — Responsibility for agents and employees.
Section 4-1-2. - Overwork, mistreatment, or failure to feed animals — Shelter defined.
Section 4-1-3. - Unnecessary cruelty.
Section 4-1-3.1. - Prohibited practices in destruction of animals.
Section 4-1-3.2. - Animal confinement in motor vehicles prohibited.
Section 4-1-4. - Abandonment of infirm animals.
Section 4-1-5. - Malicious injury to or killing of animals.
Section 4-1-6. - Shearing of horses in winter.
Section 4-1-6.1. - Operating upon tails of bovines prohibited.
Section 4-1-7. - Live poultry containers.
Section 4-1-8. - Sale of chicks and ducklings — Dyeing prohibited.
Section 4-1-9. - Animal fighting.
Section 4-1-10. - Possession or training of fighting animals.
Section 4-1-11. - Attendance at bird or animal fight.
Section 4-1-13. - Forfeiture of fighting birds or animals.
Section 4-1-14. - Appeal of sentence of forfeiture.
Section 4-1-15. - Expense of care of seized birds or animals.
Section 4-1-16. - Use of birds as targets.
Section 4-1-17. - Unloading of animals in transit for rest, water, and feeding.
Section 4-1-18. - Arrest of violators without warrant — Care of animals.
Section 4-1-19. - Issuance of search warrants.
Section 4-1-21. - Powers of agents of society for prevention of cruelty to animals.
Section 4-1-22. - Care of neglected animals by society — Forfeiture of owner’s rights — Expenses.
Section 4-1-23. - Destruction of infirm animals by society.
Section 4-1-24. - Jurisdiction of offenses — Appeals.
Section 4-1-25. - Appropriations for prevention of cruelty — Payments to society.
Section 4-1-26. - Abandonment of animals.
Section 4-1-26.1. - Reports of abandoned, neglected or abused animals.
Section 4-1-27. - Auction of lost or abandoned animals and poultry.
Section 4-1-28. - Greasy pig contests prohibited.
Section 4-1-29. - Release of caged animals in park or zoo.
Section 4-1-30.1. - Cruelty to public safety — Dogs and horses.
Section 4-1-31. - Assignment of state veterinarian.
Section 4-1-33. - Persons using animals for research — Registration.
Section 4-1-34. - Destruction of racing greyhounds.
Section 4-1-34.1. - Restriction on sale of greyhounds.
Section 4-1-34.2. - Autopsies and medical treatment permitted.
Section 4-1-34.3. - Violations — Penalties.
Section 4-1-35. - Community restitution.
Section 4-1-36. - Psychiatric counseling.
Section 4-1-37. - Immunity from suit.
Section 4-1-38. - Use of the terms owner or guardian.
Section 4-1-39. - Transport and shelter of horses.
Section 4-1-40. - Possession of animals.
Section 4-1-41. - Devocalization or declawing as requirement for property occupancy prohibited.
Section 4-1-42. - Care of neglected animals by department — Forfeiture of owner’s rights — Expenses.
Section 4-1-43. - Use of bullhooks or similar devices on elephants prohibited.