§ 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 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.
History of Section.P.L. 2018, ch. 161, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 267, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry
Section 4-13-1. - Regulatory ordinances — Enforcement and penalties.
Section 4-13-1.2. - Definitions.
Section 4-13-1.3. - Rabies control board.
Section 4-13-3. - Prior ordinances preserved.
Section 4-13-4. - Dog licenses — Fees — Penalties.
Section 4-13-4.1. - Notice to new owner of inoculation and licensing requirements.
Section 4-13-5. - License information and record.
Section 4-13-7. - Notice as to time and place of issuing licenses.
Section 4-13-8. - Disposition of license fees.
Section 4-13-9. - Pups exempt from license.
Section 4-13-10. - Thoroughbred dogs exempt — Kennel licenses.
Section 4-13-11. - Annual census of dogs — List of licenses issued.
Section 4-13-13. - Wrongful removal of collar — Theft or destruction of licensed dogs — Poisoning.
Section 4-13-14. - Licensing by police authorities.
Section 4-13-15. - Collaring of dogs — Impoundment and disposition of uncollared dogs.
Section 4-13-15.1. - Ordinances concerning unrestricted and vicious dogs prohibited — Leash laws.
Section 4-13-16.1. - Injury to seeing-eye dogs or persons who are visually impaired— Damages.
Section 4-13-17. - Civil liability of person harboring dog for damages.
Section 4-13-18. - Destruction of dogs in defense of person or livestock.
Section 4-13-19. - Order to confine or kill vicious dog — Subsequent damages.
Section 4-13-20. - Appraisal of damages done by dogs.
Section 4-13-21. - Appraisal and payment of damages in certain Newport county towns.
Section 4-13-22. - Subrogation of town or city to claim for damages.
Section 4-13-23. - Sworn testimony before appraiser.
Section 4-13-24. - Penalty for neglect of duties.
Section 4-13-25. - Election of special constable and appraiser in Pawtucket.
Section 4-13-26 - — 4-13-28. Repealed.
Section 4-13-29. - Quarantine to suppress rabies — Report of cases.
Section 4-13-29.1. - Responsibility for local rabies control.
Section 4-13-29.2. - Exemption from liability.
Section 4-13-29.3. - Regulations for suppression of rabies.
Section 4-13-30. - [Obsolete.]
Section 4-13-31. - Compulsory rabies vaccination.
Section 4-13-32. - Penalty for violation of rabies suppression provisions.
Section 4-13-33. - Agent of society for prevention of cruelty as special constable.
Section 4-13-34. - Correction of defects in prosecutions.
Section 4-13-35. - Immunity of officers from costs.
Section 4-13-38. - Dogs attacking deer.
Section 4-13-40. - Exemptions from application of chapter.
Section 4-13-41. - Use of the terms owner or guardian.
Section 4-13-42. - Care of dogs.
Section 4-13-43. - Prohibition of breed specific regulation.