AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (Creates a cause of action for the intentional or negligent injury or death of a pet.)

S2610

2026 -- S 2610
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LC005070
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Introduced By:
Senators Urso, Bissaillon, LaMountain, Paolino, Dimitri, Murray, and
Tikoian

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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4-1-45. Intentional or negligent injury or death of a pet caused by the act of another -
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- Cause of action -- Minimum and maximum noneconomic recovery.

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(a) If a person's pet is seriously injured or killed or sustains injuries which result in death
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caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent act of another, the trier of fact may find the
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individual causing the injury or death liable for up to a maximum of seven thousand five hundred
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dollars ($7,500) in noneconomic damages; provided that, if such injury or death is caused by the
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negligent or intentional act of another, the injury, death or fatal injury must occur on the property
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of the injured or deceased pet's owner or caretaker, or while under the control and supervision of
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the injured or deceased pet's owner or caretaker.
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(b) A person liable for the serious injury or death of a pet pursuant to the provisions of
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subsection (a) of this section shall be liable for a minimum recovery for noneconomic damages as
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follows:
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(1) Any person liable for the serious injury of a pet pursuant to the provisions of subsection
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(a) of this section shall be liable to the owner of the pet in damages for noneconomic loss in a sum
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not less than five hundred dollars ($500).
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(2) Any person liable for the death or injury resulting in death of a pet pursuant to the
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provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be liable to the owner of the pet in damages for

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noneconomic loss in a sum not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
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(3) The recovery of noneconomic damages pursuant to the provisions of this section shall
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be limited to a single recovery in the case of joint or multiple owners of the pet suffering serious
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injury or death.
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(c) Noneconomic damages awarded pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited
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to, compensation for the loss of the reasonably expected society, companionship, love and affection
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of the pet.
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(d) Limits for noneconomic damages set out in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply
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to any related causes of action to include, but not be limited to, intentional infliction of severe
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emotional distress; provided, however, the limitation on the recovery of noneconomic damages
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pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall only apply to the claim for negligent
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injury or death of the pet.
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(e) As used in this section:
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(1) “Caretaker” means any person to whom the pet owner has voluntarily relinquished
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temporary control, custody and/or supervision of their pet.
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(2) "Pet" means any domesticated dog or cat normally maintained in or near the household
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of its owner.
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(3) "Seriously injured" means any physical injury consisting of broken bone(s) or
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permanently disfiguring lacerations requiring stiches or sutures.
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(f) This section shall not apply to any not-for-profit entity or governmental agency or their
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employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on behalf of the public health or
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animal welfare.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
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This act would create a cause of action for the intentional or negligent injury or death of a
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pet.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005070
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