Rhode Island bill would allow towns to reinstate breed discriminatory laws

Officials in Pawtucket, Rhode Island are once again trying to make it so they are allowed to retain their breed ban.

The ban was nullified by the recently passed state law prohibiting breed discriminatory laws. *When the state law was passed, officials claimed the law did not nullify existing ordinances. *Pawtucket was then sued by the Defenders of Animals and Albert Alix. *A judge found that Pawtucket did not have the right to retain the ban and the state law supersedes*all existing breed discriminatory laws. *Pawtucket officials had time to appeal this decision. *They did not appeal.

Instead, they are attempting to get their breed ban back legislatively.

A bill, H 5800, would amend the state*s animal control law that prohibits breed discriminatory laws. *The amendment would allow cities that had such a law before July 15, 2013, to keep them intact.

“ 6 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any rule, regulation 7 or ordinance specific to any breed of dog or cat enacted in any city or town prior to July 15, 2013, 8 shall remain in full force and effect until repealed by the appropriate officials of the city or town.”

This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Municipal Government and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing date.

Pawtucket had their chance when the bill was being heard and again, during the court case. *The courts have ruled and this bill is a last-ditch attempt at being able to defy the order the judge.

This would not only affect Pawtucket, but would also allow any other town to re-instate their breed discriminatory law.

RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS:

Reach out to the committee and respectfully ask that they do not support this bill.

The Defenders of Animals are collecting a legal paper petition in opposition to this bill. *Defenders of Animals will be at the Pet Supplies Plus at 171 Sockanosset Cross Rd Cranston, RI 02920 on Sunday March 8, 2015, between 12 Noon and 4 PM collecting signatures. *People in the area who can attend to sign should do so.

It is imperative that you reach out now, so this bill does not move forward.

The committee contact information is as follows:

*Representative Mia A. Ackerman:*rep-ackerman@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Gregg Amore:*rep-amore@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Jean-Phillipe Barros:*rep-barros@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative David A. Bennett:*rep-bennett@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Gregory J. Costantino:*rep-costantino@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative David A. Coughlin, Jr.:*rep-coughlin@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr.:*rep-craven@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Blake A. Filippi:*rep-filippi@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Kathleen A. Fogarty:*rep-fogarty@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Joy Hearn:*rep-hearn@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Raymond H. Johnston, Jr.:*rep-johnston@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Charlene Lima:*rep-lima@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Shelby Maldonado:*rep-maldonado@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Kenneth A. Marshall:**rep-marshall@rilin.state.ri.us

*Representative Justin Price:**rep-price@rilin.state.ri.us​

Filed under: Rhode Island, State Specific

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