Rhode Island House Bill 7167, which will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 7, seeks to allow domestic protection orders issued in the state to also order for the safety and welfare of all household animals and pets. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports H7167’s amendments to the state’s domestic violence statutes allowing for the issuance of protective orders that seek to guard pets from harm, risk of harm, or alienation. These provisions should not impact the legal status of animals as property.
Click here to read AKC’s Canine Legislation Position Statement on Protections for Pets Under State Domestic Violence Acts.
Rhode Island dog owners are encouraged to email the members and clerk of the House Judiciary Committee and express support of H7167 prior to their February 7 hearing. Click here to view the Committee’s February 7 agenda.
Representative Cale P. Keable, Chairperson – rep-keable@rilegislature.gov
Representative Edith H. Ajello, First Vice-Chairwoman – rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov
Representative Carol Hagan McEntee, Second Vice-Chairwoman – rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov
Representative Joseph S. Almeida – rep-almeida@rilegislature.gov
Representative Dennis M. Canario – rep-canario@rilegislature.gov
Representative Arthur J. Corvese – rep-corvese@rilegislature.gov
Representative David A. Coughlin, Jr. – rep-coughlin@rilegislature.gov
Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr. – rep-craven@rilegislature.gov
Representative John G. Edwards – rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov
Representative Blake A. Filippi – rep-filippi@rilegislature.gov
Representative Jason Knight – rep-knight@rilegislature.gov
Representative Jeremiah T. O’Grady – rep-ogrady@rilegislature.gov
Representative Justin Price – rep-price@rilegislature.gov
Representative Sherry Roberts – rep-roberts@rilegislature.gov
Representative Evan P. Shanley – rep-shanley@rilegislature.gov
Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson – rep-vella-wilkinson@rilegislature.gov
Committee Clerk Roberta Dimezza — rdimezza@rilegislature.gov
For more information on H7167, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.