Rhode Island General Laws 4-13-1.1. Towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket – Vicious dog ordinance
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section or the general laws to the contrary, the town councils of the towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick and Middletown may, by ordinance, provide that the owner or keeper of any dog that assaults any person shall be fined an amount not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) to be used as that city or town council may prescribe. However, this fine shall not be imposed unless the officer responsible for enforcement of that ordinance has conducted an investigation of the assault and has certified that the dog was off the property of its owner or keeper and at large at the time the assault occurred or that the assault resulted from the negligence of the owner or keeper.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 4-13-1.1
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
- Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
- town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
- town council: include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
(b) In the city of Woonsocket an owner shall not be declared negligent if an injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time that injury or damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, provoking, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 370, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 480, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 401, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 72, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 372, § 1.