Rhode Island legislators are looking at a bill that would prohibit municipalities in the state of Rhode Island from enacting breed discriminatory laws. HB5671 would amend the current laws to include a section that states:
“No city or town may enact any rule, regulation or ordinance specific to any breed of dog, cat or other animal in the exercise of its power to further control and regulate dogs, cats or other animals as authorized by this chapter.”
This bill is coming fresh on the heels of another bill that was introduced that would have restricted certain breeds of dogs and dogs that resemble those breeds. That bill was pulled very quickly because of the huge out pouring of opposition to breed discrimination.
Legislators will have this in their minds as they hear this bill, but it is extremely important that Rhode Island residents reach out to their legislators to ask them to support this bill.
The bill is on the House agenda for Thursday May 9th at approximately 4:30.
Rhode Island Residents: Please reach out to the members of the committee to show support for HB5671. As always, be professional, polite and factual.
The committees information:
Representative Edith H. Ajello: rep-ajello@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Joseph S. Almeida: rep-almeida@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski: rep-blazejewski@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Dennis M. Canario: rep-canario@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Doreen Marie Costa: rep-costa@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr.: rep-craven@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative John J. DeSimone: rep-desimone@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Donald J. Lally Jr.: rep-lally@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Charlene Lima: rep-lima@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Michael J. Marcello: rep-marcello@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Peter F. Martin: rep-martin@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi: rep-shekarchi@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Donna M. Walsh: rep-walsh@rilin.state.ri.us
You can find your respective legislators here. Enter your zip code into the search bar to find who represents you.
Thank you Rhode Island Defenders of Animals for the information.
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 
Say no to breed specific legislation.
Please do not enact any breed specific legislation. As a dog handler and trainer its not the dog its the training or lack there of that goes into the dog that in almost every case creates problems. People who get a dog should socialize their dog take it to classes and work with a trainer its not very expensive and it will help for them to have a better relationship and understanding of their dog.
Thanks!
I thank you for your post, it’s nice to know that there are people in this world understand its not the animal, but it’s handler. Thank you
Please support H.B. 5671. It truly doesn’t make sense to hold dogs responsible due to the ignorance of humans. Please don’t enact breed specific legislation. Thanking you in advance for using plain old common sense and being humane.
I am a dog trainer currently working with a service dog client whose dog happens to be a pit bull. Eventhough she is a service dog, he gets a lot of pushback from his community. Breed specific legislation hurts unintended victims.
Well said!!! Thank you
Breed specific legislation should NOT be enacted. I have had dogs as pets all my life and what too many fail to realize is that any breed can at some point be considered the ‘bad breed’. Pit bulls are the chosen dog now, what happens when it is labradors five years from now? Please so NOT pass any breed specific bill. Thank you!
This bill is one to PREVENT municipalities from passing breed discriminatory laws, ie to make it illegal on the state level for any city in RI to pass any law singling out one breed.
I totally agree with Krisdiaz9
Again, I ask that you please pass this bill. I have seen in my personal experience as an advocate has taught me that almost every single instance of proposed breed specific legislation is motivated by emotion – a reaction to a single, frightening event. Or, maybe it is a reaction to something frightening that could have happened, but didn’t. Breed Specific Legislation is always going to be fueled by fear and a desire to address the issue of safety. It’s always about the fear of not being safe in our own communities.
We all want to feel safe. And that’s something we can all agree on.
I truly believe every breed should have a right to live and not be behind bars. If anyone should be punished it should be the owner of the dog. We all want our communities safe but BSL is not the answer. We need to educate people and they need to be held accountable for any wrong doing on behalf of their animals and or their own actions which leads to an event where a person or other animal is harmed due to the lack of irresponsible dog owners.
I sincerely Thank you for your time.
Mrs. Eunice M. Fernandes
I am an animal lover & have helped re- home many dogs, especially Pit bulls unfortunately due to breed discrimination & lack of education. I ask you folks to please pass this bill. No animal is born vicious, they are born an innocent puppy leaving it up to us their human to provide them with love, proper training & care. Regardless of the breed all animals need some socialization & training. It is not the breed but the people who abuse them. I know many loving loyal Pit bulls. I have seen these animals interact with babies, toddlers etc. Please take these animals off death row & give them a chance @ life not one behind bars. I thank you for your time & consideration.