Today, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 2610, a bill that seeks to allow the awarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes Senate Bill 2610, and encourages all Rhode Island dog owners to share their opposition to S.2610 with committee members before 3pm today. (Scroll down for email addresses.)
Click here to learn more about how allowing non-economic damages will harm all dog owners.
What S.2610 Would Do
S.2610 would allow for the awarding of up to $7,500 in non-economic damages if a pet is seriously injured or killed or sustains injuries that result in death that are caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent act of another. The injury, death, or fatal injury must occur on the pet owner’s/caretaker’s property, or while under their supervision. The owner of a pet that is seriously injured may receive a minimum of $500 in non-economic damages, while the owner of a pet that has died or experienced an injury that resulted in its death would receive a minimum of $750.
Not-for-profits and government agencies, including their employees, acting on behalf of the public health or animal welfare that negligently cause the death of a pet would not be subject to awarding non-economic damages.
Differences in Types of Recovery
Economic damages cover monetary losses you can prove, like medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages cover harder-to-measure harm like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Why S.2610 Should Be Opposed
As allowed under current Rhode Island law, the availability of traditional economic damages in cases involving negligent injury to an animal, criminal laws that prohibit animal cruelty and dog fighting, and civil laws that address both intentional and negligent injury or death of an animal are key parts of a stable legal system that promotes responsible animal ownership, deters animal abuse, and promotes innovative, affordable, and quality animal care.
Long-standing legal principles limit the availability of non-economic damages. They may be claimed only by the close family of human victims who have died or who have been severely injured. Non-economic damages are typically not available in cases involving damage to personal property (remember, animals are considered property under the law). For these reasons, AKC opposes the awarding of non-economic damages in cases involving the negligent injury to an animal.
Take Action by 3PM Today!
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear S.2610 today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Rhode Island dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact committee members by 3PM today to urge them to not approve S.2610. In your messages, simply state:
My name is ______ and I am a resident of _____, Rhode Island. As a responsible dog owner, I urge you to oppose Senate Bill 2610 because current law already provides appropriate recourse if a dog is injured or killed, and because allowing non-economic damages in such cases will lead to serious consequences like increases in animal care costs and noncompliance with animal care requirements and recommendations.
State Senator Matthew L. LaMountain, Chair (Bill Sponsor)
sen-lamountain@rilegislature.gov
State Senator Mark P. McKenney, Vice Chair
sen-mckenney@rilegislature.gov
State Senator Jacob Bissaillon (Bill Sponsor)
sen-bissaillon@rilegislature.gov
State Senator John P. Burke
State Senator Andrew R. Dimitri (Bill Sponsor)
State Senator Dawn Euer
State Senator Thomas J. Paolino (Bill Sponsor)
State Senator Todd M. Patalano
sen-patalano@rilegislature.gov
State Senator Ana B. Quezada
State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis
sen-raptakis@rilegislature.gov
Committee Clerk Adriana Carlucci
senatejudiciary@rilegislature.gov
For More Information
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.