(a)  It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease, or display for a commercial purpose any dog or cat on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park, other recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market, or commercial or retail parking lot regardless of whether such access is authorized.

lawyer at desk

Ask a business law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified business lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 4-19-4.2

  • Animal: means any dog or cat, rabbit, rodent, nonhuman primate, bird or other warm-blooded vertebrate, amphibian, fish, or reptile but shall not include horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and domestic fowl. See Rhode Island General Laws 4-19-2
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Person: means any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or other legal entity. See Rhode Island General Laws 4-19-2
  • rescue: means an entity, without a physical brick-and-mortar facility, that is owned, operated, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other nonprofit organization devoted to the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals intended for adoption. See Rhode Island General Laws 4-19-2

(b)  This section shall not apply to the following:

(1)  The display or adoption of dogs or cats by an animal shelter, pound, or rescue as defined in this chapter; or

(2)  The display of dogs or cats as part of a state or county fair exhibition, 4-H program, or similar exhibitions or educational programs.

History of Section.
P.L. 2019, ch. 120, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 145, § 2.