No swine shall be kept within the city without a permit therefor first granted by the committee on police of the city council sitting as a board of health.
All applications for permits to keep swine shall be referred to the director of public health, who shall report thereupon before such applications are granted by the committee on police of the city council sitting as a board of health.
All permits to keep swine shall expire on the last day of March next following the date of issuance thereof, and shall be issued by the city clerk under the direction of the committee on police of the city council sitting as a board of health, and shall contain the condition that they may be revoked at any time by the committee on police of the city council sitting as a board of health.
Any person violating this section shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than twenty dollars ($20.00) for every violation thereof; and shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) for each day's continuance of such violation after the service of the notice issued upon the first complaint.
(Prior code § 4-1)
No person shall hitch any horse or other animal to any tree, shrub, fence or any public lamp, fire alarm or police signal post or box or leave any animal in such a position on the highways that such animal can injure any tree, fence, shrubbery or other property on the highways of the city, belonging either to individuals or the city.
(Prior code § 4-2)
A. 
No person shall keep any horse within any closely built-up residential area unless he or she shall have available, either through ownership or lease, at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of pasture area.
B. 
The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the dog officer or any police officer of the city.
C. 
Every person violating this section shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00).
(Prior code § 4-2.1)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
"At large."
Any dog shall be deemed to be at large when such dog is off the property of its owner and not under control of a competent person.
"Adequate food"
means the provision at suitable intervals, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, a quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition in each animal. The foodstuff shall be served in a sanitized receptacle, dish, or container.
"Adequate shelter"
means access a structure that is the proper size for the dog, impervious to moisture, has protection from the direct rays of the sun, and has a wind break at the entrance. This includes but is not limited to a dog house, barn, garage, shed or other structure sufficient to protect the animal from wind, rain, snow, or sun that has adequate bedding to protect against cold and dampness.
"Adequate water"
means a constant access to a supply of clean, fresh, potable water provided in a sanitary manner or provided at suitable intervals for the species and not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours at any interval.
"Ambient temperature"
means the temperature surrounding the animal.
"Dog officer"
means the person or persons employed by the city as its enforcement officer and shall include any police officer of such city.
"Dog pound"
means any premises designated by action of the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals found running at large in violation of this chapter.
"Exposed to rabies."
A dog has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of this chapter if it has been bitten by, or been exposed to, any animal known to have been infected with rabies.
"Exotic/wild/hybrid animals"
shall include, but not be limited to venomous snakes, alligators, crocodiles, chimpanzees, wolves, hybrid dogs, skunks, raccoons, bats, and groundhogs. Wild and hybrid cats shall be defined as any cat which possesses combined lineage from domestic cats (Felis domesticus) and any wildcat (Felis Silvestris) and shall include, but not be limited to Savannah, Bengal, Toyger, Chausie, Cheetoh, Jungle Lynx, Serengeti and Pixiebob.
"Keeper or custodian"
means any person or agency that harbors, feeds, maintains or is responsible for controlling a dog or another animal.
"Kennel"
means any person, group of persons, or corporations engaged in the commercial business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding dogs or for hobby and recreation.
"Minimum care"
means care sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal and, except for emergency circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the owner and/or guardian, includes, but is not limited to the requirements set forth in Section 6.08.250.
"Minimum veterinary care"
means veterinary care deemed necessary by a reasonably prudent person to relieve distress from injury, neglect, or disease.
"Nuisance"
means any dog or other animal that:
1. 
Poses a bodily threat to any person or creates a disturbance by running at passing vehicles or cyclist;
2. 
Attacks or chases other domestic animals on property other than their own;
3. 
Damages public or private property;
4. 
Disturbs any neighborhood or person(s) of average sensibilities by loud and persistent or habitual barking, howling or yelping.
"Owner"
means any person, groups of persons, agency or corporation who keeps, harbors, owns or has a right of property in a dog or other animal.
"Restraint."
A dog is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter if it is controlled by a leash or other restraining device or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets or within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
"Spayed female"
means any bitch which has been operated upon to prevent conception.
"Tether"
means a rope to chain or otherwise halter a dog allowing in a reasonable range in which to move.
"Veterinarian"
means a person licensed to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry in this state who is a graduate of an accredited veterinary medical, surgical, and dental school or college of a standard recognized by the Rhode Island veterinary medical association.
(Prior code § 4-3; Ord. 04-29 § 1; Ord. 2010-5, § 1, 3/22/2010; Ord. 2017-43, § 1, 12/18/2017)
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the dog officer of the city and any police officer of the city, and all violations of this chapter shall be referred to Cranston Municipal Court, and to any state agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
(Prior code § 4-4; Ord. 2017-43, § 2, 12/18/2017)
A. 
Every owner or keeper of a dog shall annually in the month of April cause such dog to be licensed from the first day of the ensuing May, in the office of the city clerk, and shall pay to the city clerk for the license issued ten dollars ($10.00), with the exception of senior citizens who shall, upon proof that they have attained the age of sixty-five (65) years, pay the sum of seven dollars for said license. All licenses issued under the provisions of this section shall be valid in every city or town during the then current year, provided that any person who shall become the owner or keeper of a dog shall cause the same to be licensed within thirty (30) days after he or she becomes the owner or keeper.
B. 
Every owner or keeper of any dog found to be in violation of this section shall for the first offense be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and shall be required to have said dog tattooed in a manner prescribed by the Rhode Island General Laws Section 4-13.l-3(a)(2) at a fee of ten dollars ($10.00), and for a second violation of this section shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200.00) and shall be required to have said dog tattooed in a manner prescribed by Rhode Island General Laws Section 4.13.1-3(a)(2) and for a third or subsequent offense shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00), and shall be required to have said dog tattooed in a manner prescribed by Rhode Island General Laws Section 4-13.l-3(a)(2).
In addition, any owner or keeper convicted of a third or subsequent violation shall present to the city clerk proof that the owner or keeper has procured liability insurance in the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), covering any damage or injury which may be caused by such vicious dog, which policy shall contain a provision requiring the city or town to be named as additional insured for the sole purpose of the city clerk where such dog is licensed to be notified by the insurance company of any cancellation, termination or expiration of the liability insurance policy and the owner or keeper shall comply with the provisions of Rhode Island General Laws Section 4.13.1-3(a).
No fine and/or tattooing requiring shall be suspended by any court of competent jurisdiction.
(Prior code § 4-4.1)
The owner shall keep his or her dog under restraint at all times and shall not permit such dog to be at large, off the premises of the property owner unless under the control of a leash or other security device. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
(Prior code § 4-5)
A. 
Any dog, or dogs, found running at large shall be taken up by the dog officer, and impounded in the shelter designated as the city dog pound, and there confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than seven days, unless first claimed by the owner thereof in accordance with Section 6.08.060, and may thereafter be disposed of in a humane manner if not claimed by their owners.
B. 
The dog officer may transfer possession of any dog held at the dog pound to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after the legal detention period has expired and such dog has not been claimed by its owner.
C. 
When dogs are found running at large, and their ownership is known to the dog officer, such dogs need not be impounded but such officer may cite the owners of such dogs in accordance with Section 6.08.220 of this chapter.
D. 
Immediately upon impounding dogs, the dog officer shall make every possible reasonable effort to notify the owners of such dogs, so impounded, and inform such owners of the conditions whereby they may retain custody of such dogs.
E. 
Any animal, other than a dog, found running at large within the city limits may be impounded or disposed of according to law when such action is required either to protect the animal or to protect the residents of the city.
F. 
No animal shall be destroyed, transferred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or otherwise disposed of, or delivered to anyone other than the owner, by the dog officer pursuant to this chapter, until five days has elapsed after written notice to the owner of the animal that the animal is impounded and informing the owner of the conditions under which custody of the animal may be regained. Such written notice shall be delivered to the owner by a police officer or be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Except where exotic/wild/hybrid animals are involved, and state law requires transfer of said animal to a state agency.
(Prior code § 4-6; Ord. 2017-43, § 3, 12/18/2017)
A. 
The owner shall be entitled to regain possession of any impounded dog or other animal, except as hereinafter provided in the cases of certain dogs, at any time upon the payment of impoundment fees set forth herein.
B. 
Any dog or other animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter and not reclaimed by its owner within seven days, may be humanely destroyed by the dog officer, have its possession transferred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as provided for in Section 6.08.050(B), or placed in the custody of some person deemed to be a responsible and suitable person, who will agree to comply with the provisions of this chapter and such other regulations as shall be fixed by the dog officer.
(Prior code § 4-7)
Any animal impounded may be reclaimed, as herein provided, upon payment by the owner to the dog officer of the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) plus the additional sum of five dollars for each day such animal has been impounded. Such fees shall be collected by the dog officer for the city and turned over to the city collector.
(Prior code § 4-8)
A. 
Every female dog or other animals in heat shall be kept confined in a building or secure enclosure, or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel or under control of a competent agent, in such a manner that such female dog or other animals cannot come in contact with another dog or animal, except for intentional breeding purposes.
B. 
Any animal described in the foregoing subsections of this section found at large, shall be impounded by the dog officer and may not be reclaimed by owners, unless such reclamation be authorized by any court having jurisdiction.
C. 
Any dog or other animal may, the first time it is impounded for being a public nuisance, be reclaimed as provided in Section 6.08.050(A), but may not be reclaimed when so impounded on second or subsequent occasions unless such reclamation is authorized by a court having jurisdiction in the matter.
D. 
When in the judgment of the dog officer or any police officer in this city, an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons, such animal may not be reclaimed.
E. 
No wild animal may be kept within the city limits, except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the dog officer, provided, however, that wild animals may be kept for exhibiting purposes by circuses, zoos, and educational institutions, in accordance with such regulations shall be established by the dog officer. Any wild animal which escapes and is found at large may be destroyed by the dog officer or any police officer of this city.
F. 
The owner of any known fierce, dangerous or vicious dog shall be responsible for its actions and should the animal bite or otherwise inflict any injury upon any person or persons, he or she shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense; one hundred dollars ($100.00) or twenty (20) days in jail for the second offense; one hundred dollars ($100.00) or thirty (30) days in jail for the third offense or any subsequent offense thereafter.
G. 
The owner of any exotic/wild/hybrid animal as defined in Section 6.08.010, shall be responsible for its actions and should the animal bite or otherwise inflict any injury upon any person or persons, he or she shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per violation, or twenty (20) days in jail, or both.
(Prior code § 4-9; Ord. 2017-43, § 4, 12/18/2017)
A. 
Every animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the dog officer, and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of the dog officer for a period of fourteen (14) days, and shall not be released from such quarantine except by written permission of the dog officer. At the discretion of the dog officer, such quarantine may be on the premises of the owner, at the shelter designated as the dog pound, or at the owner's option and expense, in a veterinary hospital of his or her choice. In the case of stray animals, or in the cases of animals whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the shelter designated by the dog officer.
B. 
The owner upon demand by the dog officer shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human or animal, or which is suspected as having been exposed to rabies, for supervised quarantine, the expense of which shall be borne by the owner. Such animal may be reclaimed by the owner if it is adjudged free of rabies, upon payment of fees set forth in Section 6.08.060.
C. 
When rabies has been diagnosed in an animal under quarantine or rabies suspected by a licensed veterinarian, and the animal dies while under such observation, the dog officer shall immediately send the head of such animal to the state health department for the pathological examination, and shall notify the proper public health officer of reports of human and animal contacts and the diagnosis.
D. 
When one or both reports indicate a positive diagnosis of rabies, the dog officer shall recommend an area wide quarantine for a period of ninety (90) days, and upon invoking of such emergency quarantine, no animal shall be taken into the streets, or permitted to be in the streets, during such period of quarantine. During such quarantine, no animal may be taken or shipped from the city without written permission of the dog officer.
During this quarantine period and as long afterward as he or she decides, it is necessary to prevent the spread of rabies, the dog officer shall require all dogs, six months of age and older, to be vaccinated against rabies with a canine rabies vaccine approved by the biologics control section of the United States Department of Agriculture. The types of approved canine anti-rabies vaccine to be used and the recognized duration of immunity for each shall be those established by the state health department. All vaccinated dogs shall be restricted (leashing or confinement on enclosed premises) for thirty (30) days after vaccination. During the quarantine period, the dog officer shall be empowered to provide for a program of mass immunization by the establishment of temporary emergency canine rabies vaccination clinics strategically located throughout the city.
No dog which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray unclaimed by its owner, may be claimed during the period of the rabies emergency quarantine, except by special authorization of the dog officer.
E. 
Dogs bitten by a known rabid animal shall be immediately destroyed or if the owner is unwilling to destroy the exposed animal, strict isolation of the animal in an enclosure of six months shall be enforced. If the dog has been previously vaccinated, within time limits established by the dog officer based on the kind of vaccine used, revaccination and restraint (leashing and confinement) for thirty (30) days shall be carried out.
F. 
In the event there are additional positive cases of rabies occurring during the period of the quarantine, such period of quarantine may be extended for an additional six months.
G. 
No person shall kill, or cause to be killed, any rabid animal, any animal suspected of having been exposed to rabies, or any animal biting a human, except herein provided, nor remove the same from the city limits without written permission from the dog officer.
H. 
The carcass of any dead animal exposed to rabies shall upon demand be surrendered to the dog officer.
I. 
The dog officer shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies.
J. 
No person shall fail or refuse to surrender any animal for quarantine for destruction as required herein when demand is made therefor by the dog officer.
(Prior code § 4-10)
It shall be the duty of every physician, hospital or other medical practitioner, to report to the police department the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with such other information as will be helpful in rabies control.
(Prior code § 4-11)
A. 
Hospitals, clinics and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except where expressly stated.
B. 
The licensing and vaccination requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any dog belonging to a nonresident of the city and kept within the city for not longer than thirty (30) days, provided all such dogs shall at all times while in the city be kept within a building, enclosure or vehicle, or be under restraint by the owner or other competent person.
(Prior code § 4-13)
The owner or keeper of a dog or cat, shall have the animal vaccinated not earlier than three months of age nor later than four months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by the regulations of the Rabies Control Board, but at no time to exceed recommendations made by the most current compendium of animal rabies control. No dog or cat shall be permitted within the city limits unless such dog or cat shall have been vaccinated or immunized in the manner set forth in this chapter.
(Prior code § 4-14)
The vaccination or immunization referred to in this chapter shall be by a vaccine approved by the State Department of Health or the rabies control board and shall be certified to by a licensed veterinarian. Said certificate shall meet the minimum standards approved by the rabies control board, which shall include: the veterinarian's name, the veterinarian's practice name, address, and telephone number; the pet owner's name and address; the pet's name, species, age, coloration, and sex; the rabies vaccine manufacturer's name; the date of inoculation and the signature of the doctor who administered or directed the administration of the rabies vaccine. For dogs, there shall be a record kept which lists the number of the rabies tag issued in conjunction with the rabies vaccination certificate, together with such other information as may reasonably be required by the dog officer or the veterinarian administering the same.
(Prior code § 4-15)
No license shall be issued for any dog required to be licensed in the city unless the person making application therefor shall first present to the city clerk a current certificate of vaccination or inoculation, as provided in this chapter for the dog for which such license is requested. Such certificate shall certify that the dog for which the license is to be issued has been properly vaccinated or inoculated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 4-16)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat over four months old within the city, unless such dog or cat shall have been vaccinated or inoculated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense.
(Prior code § 4-17)
Any dog or cat over four months old found within the limits of the city without evidence that such dog or cat has been vaccinated or inoculated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be impounded by the dog officer or other authorized person for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days, during which time such dog or cat may be returned to its owner upon proof of ownership, vaccination of the dog or cat, and payment by such owner of the fees provided in Section 6.08.090.
At the expiration of the fifteen (15) day period above mentioned, any dog not so claimed by its owner shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 6.08.060.
(Prior code § 4-18)
A. 
The keeping or harboring of any dog or other domestic animal, whether licensed or not, which is by barking, biting, howling or yelping in any other manner, disturbing the public peace or the quiet of any person whomsoever, is unlawful and is declared to be a nuisance, and each day shall constitute a separate offense if a complaint is affirmed by a proper public official.
B. 
Allowing or permitting any animal to trespass on private or public property so as to damage or destroy any property or thing of value, is unlawful and declared to be a nuisance, and each day shall constitute a separate offense if a formal complaint(s) is confirmed by a defined public official(s).
C. 
Whenever a formal complaint(s) is made that a dog or other domestic animal is a nuisance by reason of any of the foregoing, an animal control officer or any police officer shall investigate the formal complaint(s) and if such nuisance is found to exist, notice shall be served by an animal control officer or any police officer upon the owner, keeper or guardian of such animal, to abate such nuisance.
D. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper or guardian of a dog or other domestic animal to refuse or neglect to abate such a nuisance after they receive notice to do so from an animal control officer or any police officer.
E. 
All formal complaint(s) pertaining to noise nuisances made under the provisions of this section, shall be made in writing to an animal control officer or any police officer, and no formal complaint(s) shall be taken and no summons shall be issued for any violation unless there are at least two or more formal complaints by witnesses residing in separate domiciles who have signed such a formal complaint(s), or unless the police or animal control officer are summoned and witness the noise nuisance, notwithstanding the present authority of the animal control officers or police officers to issue summonses.
F. 
Any person violating any provisions of this section shall be fined an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense, an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the second offense within a twelve (12) month period, an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the third and any subsequent offenses within a twelve (12) month period to be recovered for the use of the city.
(Ord. 04-29 § 2; Ord. 06-77 § 1)
A. 
No dogs or other domestic animal shall be allowed in schoolyards or on school property, whether at large or under restraint, unless they are seeing-eye dogs, service dogs or official law enforcement canines.
B. 
No dogs or other domestic animal shall be allowed in any stores or eating places within the city, whether at large or under restraint, unless they are seeing-eye dogs, service dogs or official law enforcement canines.
C. 
No dog shall be allowed on any city-owned recreational facility, ball field or playground, or walking track, whether at large or under restraint, seeing-eye dogs, so-called excepted. Dogs under restraint shall be allowed on walking trails in natural areas, including, but not limited to, trails at the Knight Farm property and along the Pawtuxet River.
D. 
All complaints made under the provisions of this chapter shall be made to the dog officer or any police officer and may be made orally, provided, however, that such complaint is within forty-eight (48) hours, reduced to writing on forms provided by the dog officer and shall be signed by the complainant showing his or her address and telephone number, if any.
E. 
The city council may establish by resolution a public dog pound at such place in the city as it may deem convenient and proper.
F. 
The city clerk shall not issue to any person, or to more than one person residing at the same address, licenses for more than two dogs unless the dog officer shall certify in writing to the city clerk that the premises at which such dogs are proposed to be kept are suitable for the keeping of more than two dogs and that the keeping of more than two dogs therein will not tend to create a nuisance.
G. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep within the city more than two dogs, one or more of which are unlicensed, and who does not have a kennel license for the keeping of such dogs.
H. 
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons at the same address to own or keep within the city more than four cats, unless the premises are lawfully used for a kennel or pet shop.
I. 
The animal control officer shall charge a fee, as specified in the following schedule, to be paid by the owner of any dog or cat taken to the animal shelter for the purpose of transferring title or for the disposal of said animal according to law.
Fee Schedule
For each adult (six mos. or older) dog
$20.00
For each puppy
$5.00
For each adult (six mos. or older) cat
$10.00
For each kitten
$5.00
(Prior code § 4-20; Ord. 04-29 § 3; Ord. 2016-24, § 1, 7/25/2016)
In the discharge of the duties imposed by this chapter, the dog officer of this city shall have the authority at all reasonable times to enter upon any premises (but such authority should not include the right to enter any residence on such premises) to examine a dog or other animal which is allegedly in violation of a provision of this chapter. Such officer shall have the further authority to take possession of any such dog or other animal and remove it from such premises for cause set forth herein.
(Prior code § 4-21)
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest the dog officer of this city in the performance of his or her duties, or seek to release any animal in the custody of the dog officer or any police officer, except as herein provided.
(Prior code § 4-22)
A. 
It shall be the duty of the dog officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of the impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into his or her custody.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the dog officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all bite cases reported to him or her and his or her investigation of the same.
C. 
It shall be the duty of the dog officer to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of all moneys belonging to the city, which records shall be open to inspection at all times by authorized personnel of the city and shall be audited by the city annually in the same manner as other city records are audited.
D. 
In addition to the duties of the dog officer as provided by law, the dog officer in the city shall make a monthly report to the city auditor of all dogs killed and buried by him or her, specifying the name and residence of the owner of such dog, the license number and the color and sex of such dog, and whether collared. The director of finance shall furnish to the dog officer printed forms for the returns aforesaid.
(Prior code § 4-23)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any violation of any provisions of this chapter may be punished by destruction or disposition of the animal, or by the payment of a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense, two hundred dollars ($200.00) and seizure of the animal for the second offense within a year, and four hundred dollars ($400.00) and seizure of the animal for the third and any subsequent offense within a year.
A second and subsequent violations of Sections 6.08.250 and 6.08.260 may be considered a violation of Rhode Island General Laws RIGL 4-1-2.
For a violation of any provision of this chapter, the enforcing officer shall issue a citation which may not be paid by mail but shall require an appearance before a justice of the Cranston municipal court.
(Prior code § 4-24; Ord. 2010-5, § 2, 3/22/2010)
A. 
Duties to Dispose. It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a domestic animal to remove and dispose of any feces left by his or her domestic animal on any sidewalk, street, park or other public area, or any other property owned by the city.
B. 
Duty to Possess Means of Removal. No person who owns, possesses or controls such domestic animal shall appear with such domestic animal on any sidewalk, street, park or other public area, or any other property owned by the city without the means of removal of any feces left by such domestic animal.
C. 
Method of Removal and Disposal. For the purpose of this regulation, the means of removal shall be any tool, implement or other device carried for the purpose of picking up and containing such feces, unexposed to said person or the public. Disposal shall be accomplished by transporting such feces to a place suitable and regularly reserved for the disposal of human feces.
D. 
Fines for Violation. Violation of this regulation shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense, not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the second offense within a year, not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the third and any subsequent offenses within a year to be recovered for the use of the city.
E. 
Exemption. This regulation shall not apply to a licensed dog accompanying any handicapped person who, by reason of his or her handicap, is physically unable to comply with the requirements of this section.
(Prior code § 4-25)
A. 
An owner or guardian of any animal must provide daily proper nourishment and access to adequate water at a drinkable temperature, quality and quantity as required by the species, breed, size, and age of the said animal, which will allow and foster normal growth and maintenance of body weight.
B. 
An owner or guardian of any animal must maintain a sanitary environment, which is dry and free of accumulated feces, and free of debris and garbage that may clutter the environment so as not to inhibit comfortable rest, normal posture and range of movement or pose a danger to or entangle an animal, this as set by the industry standard for the environmental health scale as set forth in the most recently adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care and Conditions Scale (TACC).
C. 
An owner or guardian of any animal must maintain said animal's health with minimum veterinary care, and a healthy physical condition as set by the industry standard for the body condition scale, and physical care scale as set forth in the most recently adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care and Conditions Scale (TACC).
(Ord. 2010-5, § 3, 3/22/2010)
Any animal seized in enforcement of Section 6.08.230 shall be impounded and, if the identity of owner is known by animal control, the animal control officer shall make every possible, reasonable effort to notify the owners of such animals so impounded and to inform the owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of their animal. Animal(s) seized will then be held for a period of ten (10) days, at the owners expense, unless (i) a release is signed by owner or guardian relinquishing ownership of the animal to the city, (ii) the animal is euthanized for humane reasons, or (iii) the owner remedies the problem for which the animal was seized, and the animal control officer sees it fit to return the animal to the owner upon payment of fees. Upon conclusion of the ten (10) day hold period, if the owner has not come forward, the animal may be humanely destroyed, have its title transferred to the Rhode Island S.P.C.A., or be placed in a suitable home or with a rescue group. The owner/guardian shall be accountable for all fines, fees, and costs to the city for the minimum care of the animal.
(Ord. 2010-5, § 3, 3/22/2010)
A. 
No person shall allow a dog to be kept outside tethered, penned, caged, fenced, or otherwise confined for more than thirty (30) minutes without access to adequate shelter or adequate water for use by such dog.
B. 
No person shall allow a dog to be kept outside tethered, penned, caged, fenced, or otherwise confined for more than thirty (30) minutes when the ambient temperature is beyond the industry standard for the weather safety scale as set forth in the most recently adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care and Conditions Scale (TACC). Penalties for violation of this section as set by Section 6.08.230.
(Ord. 2010-5, § 3, 3/22/2010)
A. 
No person shall confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or heath threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold. In order to protect the health and safety of an animal, an animal control officer, firefighter or law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that this section is being violated shall have authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible.
B. 
A law enforcement officer, firefighter or animal control officer may take all steps that are reasonably necessary to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal's safety, health or well-being appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold or lack of adequate ventilation and the conditions could reasonably be expected to cause extreme suffering or death.
Nothing in this section shall prevent a law enforcement officer, firefighter or animal control officer from removing an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal's safety appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food or water, or any other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.
C. 
A law enforcement officer, firefighter or animal control officer who removes an animal in accordance with this section shall in a secure and conspicuous location on or within the motor vehicle, leave written notice bearing the officer's or agent's name and office and the address of the location where the animal may be claimed. The owner may claim the animal only after payment of all charges that have accrued for the maintenance, care, medical treatment and impoundment of the animal.
D. 
A law enforcement officer, firefighter or animal control officer who removes an animal from a motor vehicle pursuant to this section is immune from criminal or civil liability that might otherwise result from the removal.
E. 
Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be subject to the penalties in Section 6.08.230 of this code.
(Ord. 2011-3, § 1, 2/28/2011)
[1]
Editor's note: This section was originally enacted as § 6.08.250 but was renumbered as § 6.08.280.
Each homeowner is permitted to keep one rooster in a coop and fenced in area on their property no closer than one hundred fifty (150) feet to the dwelling of any abutter.
(Ord. 2022-20, § 1, 6/27/2022)
The activities and land use of any property owner occurring in accord with R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-23-1 et seq., are exempt.
(Ord. 2022-20, § 1, 6/27/2022)
The building official, building code enforcement officer or their designee is responsible for enforcement in accord with this section and all other applicable sections of the Code of Ordinances.
(Ord. 2022-20, § 1, 6/27/2022)
Any person, business or entity determined to be in violation of this ordinance shall be fined as follows:
A. 
For a first violation a fine of up to one hundred dollars ($100.00);
B. 
For a second violation a fine of up to two hundred dollars ($200.00);
C. 
For a third or subsequent violation a fine of up to three hundred dollars ($300.00).
(Ord. 2023-19, § 1, 6/26/2023)