Two dog-related bills will be considered by Rhode Island legislative committees tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes House Bill 7545, which seeks to allow the awarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed. AKC takes no position on House Bill 7562, which seeks to allow animal control officers to lawfully take charge of and provide care for abandoned, neglected, or hazardously accumulated animals.
Oppose House Bill 7545, Non-Economic Damages – House Judiciary Committee
H 7545 would allow 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 may 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.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports the awarding of traditional economic damages in cases involving negligent injury to an animal. Together with criminal laws that prohibit
animal cruelty and dog fighting, and civil laws that address both intentional and negligent injury or death of an animal, traditional economic damages in cases involving the negligent injury or death to an animal helps create 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 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. Click here to learn more about non-economic damages.
The House Judiciary Committee will hear H 7545 tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5PM. Rhode Island residents are encouraged to contact the committee and urge them to not approve H 7545.
Rep. Carol McEntee, Chair – rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Jason Knight, First Vice Chair – rep-knight@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Matthew “Matt” Dawson, Second Vice Chair – rep-dawson@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Edith “Edie” Ajello – rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov
Rep. José Batista – rep-batista@rilegislature.gov
Rep. David Bennett – rep-bennett@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Justine Caldwell – rep-caldwell@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Julie Casimiro – rep-casimiro@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Arthur “Doc” Corvese – rep-corvese@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Robert E. Craven – rep-craven@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Cherie Cruz – rep-cruz@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Leonela “Leo” Felix – rep-felix@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Marie Hopkins – rep-hopkins@rilegislature.gov
Rep. Thomas “Tom” Noret – rep-noret@rilegislature.gov
Rep. David Place – rep-place@rilegislature.gov
House Bill 7562, Empowering ACOs in Cities and Towns – House Municipal Government and Housing
Under current law, only an officer or agent of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) may lawfully take charge of, and provide care for, abandoned, neglected, or hazardously accumulated animals. H 7562 seeks to allow animal control officers of a city or town to also take charge of, and provide care for, such animals.
Current Rhode Island law requires the automatic forfeiture of a person’s ownership of an animal in cruelty cases when there has been no finding or admission of guilt or a “no contest” plea, resulting in an unconstitutional erroneous deprivation of property. This issue of major concern is not at issue in H 7562. Instead, the bill simply gives animal control officers in cities and towns the same powers as RISPCA officers and agents have had. For this reason, AKC is currently taking no position on H 7562.
Concerned residents are encouraged to contact the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee with comments regarding H 7562.
Representative Stephen M. Casey, Chair – rep-casey@rilegislature.gov
Representative Kathleen A. Fogarty, First Vice Chair – rep-fogarty@rilegislature.gov
Representative June Speakman, Second Vice Chair – rep-speakman@rilegislature.gov
Representative José F. Batista – rep-batista@rilegislature.gov
Representative Lauren H. Carson – rep-carson@rilegislature.gov
Representative Cherie L. Cruz – rep-cruz@rilegislature.gov
Representative Matthew S. Dawson – rep-dawson@rilegislature.gov
Representative Anthony J. DeSimone – rep-desimone@rilegislature.gov
Representative John G. Edwards – rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov
Representative Richard R. Fascia – rep-fascia@rilegislature.gov
Representative Jenni A. Furtado – rep-furtado@rilegislature.gov
Representative Raymond A. Hull – rep-hull@rilegislature.gov
Representative David Morales – rep-morales@rilegislature.gov
Representative Robert J. Quattrocchi – rep-quattrocchi@rilegislature.gov
Representative Tina L. Spears – rep-spears@rilegislature.gov
For More Information
Contact AKC Government Relations – doglaw@akc.org