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Rhode IslandS24722026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS .

Sponsored By: Pamela J. Lauria (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.

Exeter can require $100,000 dog insurance

Exeter sets fines within a one‑year period: up to $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $200 for a third or later. Exeter can also require owners to show $100,000 in liability insurance for 12 months and name the town for notice. These rules apply when the town council adopts the ordinance.

Pawtucket pit bull fines and possible jail

Pawtucket sets steep penalties tied to its pit bull ban. If the dog is licensed, fines can be $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third. If unlicensed, fines can be up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for later offenses. The municipal court may also add up to 30 days in jail for unlicensed pit bull violations.

Higher fines on Middletown beaches

Middletown uses higher fines for dog violations on beaches. On beaches: up to $100 for a first offense in a year, $150 for a second, and $200 for a third or later. Elsewhere in town: up to $50, $100, and $150 across the same tiers. The town can also allow you to pay tickets by mail.

Impound fees before getting your dog

Several towns can charge impound fees that you must pay before your dog is released. Burrillville sets up to $10 for the first day plus $5 for each extra day. Towns like Cumberland, Narragansett, Westerly, West Greenwich, and Woonsocket can also set impound fees by ordinance and require payment before release. These towns also set local fines and may allow mail-in ticket payments.

Limits on dogs at single-family homes

Bristol can limit how many licensed dogs, and which breeds, you can keep at a single‑family home. Licensed breeding kennels are not covered by this limit. Breaking the rule can bring a fine up to $250. Portsmouth can set the number of licensed dogs at a single‑family home (not breeding kennels) and fine up to $25. Both towns also have separate fine schedules for other dog violations and can allow mail-in tickets.

Town dog fines and mail-in tickets

Cities and towns can now set local dog fines and let officers send tickets you can pay by mail. If your town does not set its own schedule, the statewide default fines are up to $10 for a first offense, $15 for a second, and $25 for a third or later in the same calendar year. Many towns adopt higher local fines. Examples: Barrington up to $50/$100/$150; East Providence up to $30/$60/$120 and $300 for a fourth in a year; West Warwick up to $15/$50/$100; Glocester $20/$30/$35. Most towns measure offenses within a calendar year; some use a one‑year window.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Pamela J. Lauria

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 103 • No: 2

House vote • 4/14/2026

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 67 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS Passage

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 016

    4/22/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    4/14/2026Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    4/14/2026House

  4. Placed on House Calendar (04/14/2026)

    4/10/2026House

  5. Committee recommends passage in concurrence

    3/24/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (03/24/2026)

    3/20/2026

  7. Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing

    3/11/2026House

  8. Senate read and passed

    3/10/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Senate Calendar (03/10/2026)

    3/6/2026Senate

  10. Committee recommends passage

    3/5/2026

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/05/2026)

    2/27/2026

  12. Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S2472 - As Introduced

    2/6/2026

    HTMLPDF

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