§ 4-1-31. Assignment of state veterinarian.
(a) Examination of fighting animals. A licensed veterinarian from the department of environmental management, shall be
made available to agents of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals at the request of the state police for the purpose of examining any animal
that those agents believe to have been involved in animal fighting in violation of
§§ 4-1-2, 4-1-8, 4-1-9 or 4-1-11.
(b) Right of entry where cruelty suspected. The director of the department of environmental management, or any veterinarian employed
by the department of environmental management designated by the director for such
purpose, having reason to suspect the existence of cruelty to animals within the meaning
of this chapter upon any grounds or premises, is hereby authorized and empowered to
enter upon those grounds or premises for enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
For such inspections, the department shall, unless a search without a warrant is otherwise
allowed by law, seek a search warrant from an official of a court authorized to issue
warrants.
(c) The director of the department of environmental management may designate a department
veterinarian or veterinarians to act as animal advocates. A general agent or special
agent from the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals may also
act in that capacity.
(d) The animal advocate shall make recommendations to any court before which the custody
or well-being of an animal is at issue.
(e) Any animal care facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture or
holding a public health service (PHS) assurance of compliance shall be exempt from
the provisions of this section.
(f) Right to seize animals that are the subject of cruel treatment. The director of environmental management, or any veterinarian employed by the department
of environmental management ("department�), shall have the authority to examine any
animal that is suspected of being cruelly treated, mistreated, or neglected by its
owner, guardian, or his or her agents in violation of the provisions of chapter 1
of this title. Upon reasonable evidence to suggest that the subject animal(s) has
been cruelly treated, mistreated, or negligently treated by the owner, guardian, or
his or her agents, in violation of the provisions of chapter 1 of this title, the
department may lawfully take charge of that animal(s) and shall have the authority
to seize said animal(s). Any animal(s) so seized shall remain in the custody of the
department during the pendency of any civil or criminal investigation and remain in
the custody of the department until the adjudication of the matter. All reasonable
expenses for the care and treatment of the animal(s), while in the custody of the
department during this time, shall be paid for by the owner, guardian, or his or her
agent upon conviction, entry of a guilty plea, or a plea of nolo contendere. The department
has the authority to commence a civil action for damages against the owner, guardian,
or his or her agent thirty (30) days after written demand for payment of the expenses
of the suitable care of that animal has been sent and no payment received.