§ 4-13-1.1 - Towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket – Vicious dog ordinance. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 4-13-1.1

   § 4-13-1.1  Towns of Portsmouth, WestWarwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket – Vicious dog ordinance.– (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section or the general laws tothe contrary, the town councils of the towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick andMiddletown may, by ordinance, provide that the owner or keeper of any dog thatassaults 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 towncouncil may prescribe. However, this fine shall not be imposed unless theofficer responsible for enforcement of that ordinance has conducted aninvestigation of the assault and has certified that the dog was off theproperty of its owner or keeper and at large at the time the assault occurredor that the assault resulted from the negligence of the owner or keeper.

   (b) In the city of Woonsocket an owner shall not be declarednegligent if an injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time thatinjury or damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort uponpremises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing,tormenting, provoking, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing orattempting to commit a crime.