AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS

This bill authorizes the town councils of Hopkinton and several other Rhode Island municipalities to enact ordinances that increase the fines for violating local dog laws. It allows these local governments to set higher penalties for repeat offenses and permits animal control officers to issue citations that can be paid by mail. The legislation also grants specific towns the power to charge owners for impoundment fees before a dog is released from the pound. By updating state regulations, the bill enables these communities to enforce stricter financial consequences for dog-related violations while streamlining the citation process.