Please go to site for internal links
Please share this alert with your legislative liaisons, parent clubs and all
dog owners in Rhode Island ASAP!
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/ri-alert-problematic-bond-care-forfeiture-bill-heading-governor-urge-veto-now/
Friday, July 12, 2019
On June 28, a pair of problematic Rhode Island bills, H. 5433 and S. 465, were
quickly passed by both the Senate and House. Yesterday, these bills were sent
to the Governor for her signature into law.
H.5433 and S.465 allow the seizure of animals if, in the opinion of an animal
control officer, there is suspected neglect or abuse, for example, as indicated
by an animal being lame. The AKC abhors animal cruelty and supports
enforcement of strong animal cruelty laws. This bill authorizes the taking of
dogs upon suspicion of neglect without first securing a warrant and raises
constitutional due process concerns because it requires an owner to post bond
for care of seized animals or risk their forfeiture prior to any finding of
guilt.
WHY THIS IS TROUBLESOME:
• If found not guilty or charges are dropped, someone unable to afford
the bond fees would be permanently deprived of their animals, with no recourse,
regardless of never having been proven to have committed a crime.
• Seizure of animals upon the opinion that the animal is suffering
neglect, due to sickness or lameness, is a real concern. A sick or lame animal
is not evidence of neglect because animals that appear aged or injured may
still be receiving proper care.
• The bill authorizes disposal of animals without acknowledging the
rights of potential co-owners. Many hobby breeders co-own dogs and should be
notified of such a seizure before losing their dogs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact Governor Raimondo by phone at (401) 222-2080 or email
at http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/ and ask her to VETO H.5433 and S. 465. ;
Share the points, above.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will provide additional information as
developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@xxxxxxx.
Stormy Hope
LLARTC
NAIATrust, Trustee
NAIATrust-CA on Facebook!
GSDCA Legislative Liaison to AKC
California Responsible Pet Owners
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