On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the Rhode Island Legislature adjourned the legislative session without passing bills harmful to dog owners. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is very grateful to clubs’ legislative liaisons and members who responded to requests for action.
H5926 – NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES/PET LEGAL STATUS – DID NOT ADVANCE. Allowing compensation for the loss of companionship, love, and affection (non-economic damages) when a pet has been seriously injured or killed by an animal caretaker’s negligent actions did not advance. AKC issued this alert in opposition. The House Judiciary Committee heard from many RI hobbyists regarding the legal status of pets as property and how H. 5926 would threaten a legal framework that protects pets. The bill may surface again next session, but without your efforts this bill would not have been put on pause.
S325/H. 6383 – DEFINITION OF HOBBY BREEDER – ADVANCES AFTER AMENDMENT.
The RI Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Department of Environmental Management proposed S. 325 to address gaps in the law regarding who can sell or transfer dogs and cats without needing to be licensed as a commercial seller. Issues identified with the assistance of South County Kennel Club’s legislative liaison and noted in AKC’s alert were eventually addressed in the Senate’s Amended S. 325, which the House committee also adopted as detailed in this update. These fixed bills are on the way to the Governor McKee’s desk.
S551 – CRUELTY TO ANIMALS MERGED WITH S. 550 – DOGS – AMENDED, DID NOT ADVANCE.
AKC testified in opposition to these bills, and in this alert outlined multiple concerns regarding the (1) proposed legal processes for seizing dogs and for forfeiture of their ownership, punishing breeders with overweight dogs, and forming an animal shelter taskforce to make legislative recommendations. After AKC met with the bill sponsor, the Senate Judiciary Committee adopted AKC-recommended changes and reported an Amended S. 550 that combined S. 550 and S. 551. It was approved by the Senate. Details are in this update. However, Amended S. 550 was not taken up by the House before adjournment.
S928 – REGULATION OF VICIOUS DOGS & DOG LICENSE FEES– DID NOT ADVANCE.
S. 928 would update the state’s “vicious” dog laws to authorize the identification and regulation of “dangerous dogs” that pose a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. AKC supports an update to Rhode Island’s vicious dog laws, and in 2019 presented to the Senate Commission on Vicious Dogs regarding the inclusion of dangerous dog provisions.
S559 – CRUELTY TO ANIMALS – ADVANCES AFTER AMENDMENT.
S. 559 would increase the imprisonment penalty for an animal fighting cruelty conviction. After an amendment, it passed both the Senate and the House. Amended S. 559 increases the imprisonment penalty for an animal fighting conviction from two (2) to five (5) years for subsequent convictions with fifty (50) hours of mandatory community service. It is on its way to the Governor’s desk.
AKC GR will continue to provide updates on pending dog-related legislation in Rhode Island. For more information on legislative issues in the state, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.