§ 4-1-31 - Assignment of state veterinarian. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 4-1-31

   § 4-1-31  Assignment of state veterinarian.– (a) Examination of fighting animals. A licensed veterinarian from thedepartment of environmental management, shall be made available to agents ofthe Rhode Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals at therequest of the state police for the purpose of examining any animal which thoseagents 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. Thedirector of the department of environmental management or any veterinarianemployed by the department of environmental management designated by thedirector for such purpose, having reason to suspect the existence of cruelty toanimals within the meaning of this chapter upon any grounds or premises, ishereby authorized and empowered to enter upon those grounds or premises forenforcement of the provisions of this chapter. For such inspections, thedepartment shall, unless a search without a warrant is otherwise allowed bylaw, seek a search warrant from an official of a court authorized to issuewarrants.