June 1, 2010

   Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr., 401-451-1305

Tassoni animal care legislation passed by Senate

            STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) that will regulate the treatment of dogs kept outdoors.

             Senator Tassoni, during a committee hearing on the bill earlier this session, urged its passage “to help protect defenseless animals and to make sure individuals who abuse or mistreat them face serious consequences.”

            The bill, 2010-S 2022, will set guidelines and penalties for anyone that keeps a dog tethered, penned, caged, fenced or otherwise confined outdoors without adequate shelter from the elements. It requires dog owners to provide an outdoor shelter for any dog kept outside for more than an hour at a time or when the temperature is beyond what is considered appropriate under the Tufts Animal Care and Condition Weather Safety Scale.

            The bill also sets the minimum length of a tether and prohibits the use of a tether with a choke-type collar or prong-type collar and makes it a violation to keep a dog tethered for more than 10 hours in a day or confined in a pen, care or other outdoor structure for more than 14 hours in a day. The bill also makes failure to provide proper food, water or veterinary care a violation of the law and adds comprehensive definitions of proper food, water and vet care.

            Individuals violating the provisions will be given a warning for a first violation. Second or subsequent violations would carry a fine of between $50 and $500 and imprisonment for up to 11 months.

            “Most dog owners leave their pets outside occasionally,” said Senator Tassoni. “But it amounts to nothing short of cruelty when someone tethers a dog outside for long periods of time, unsheltered, in extreme temperatures, without food or water.”

            The legislation does not apply to veterinary facilities, any licensed boarding kennel, municipal pound, pet shop or animal shelter, as well as sporting associations or dog shows.

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