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HB 6089

AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

The bill strengthens penalties for animal fighting by increasing fines, imprisonment, and mandating non-suspendable community service for first and repeat offenses.

06/27/2025 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 6089

Summary — HB 6089 (Sub A) — AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY — CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Status: Signed by Governor (effective upon passage, 06/27/2025)
Filed as Substitute A: LC002380/SUB A (introduced in Rhode Island General Assembly)

Purpose

To strengthen criminal penalties and add mandatory community‑service requirements for persons who cause, encourage, host, permit, or bet on animal fighting (including birds, dogs, or other animals), by amending R.I. Gen. Laws § 4‑1‑9.

Key provisions

  • Prohibited conduct (existing language retained):

    • Causing or encouraging fighting of any bird, dog, or animal with another;
    • Keeping or maintaining a place for animal fights;
    • Knowingly permitting or suffering a fight on premises under one’s control;
    • Making bets or laying wagers on the result of an animal fight.

  • Penalties for a first offense:

    • Fine: up to $1,000;
    • Imprisonment: up to 2 years;
    • Mandatory community service: 20 hours (the statute requires this and does not allow it to be suspended or deferred).

  • Penalties for a second or subsequent offense (amended):

    • Fine: not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000;
    • Imprisonment: up to 5 years (increased from up to 2 years);
    • Mandatory community service: 50 hours (also not suspendable or deferrable).

  • Effective date:

    • The act takes effect upon passage (i.e., immediately after the Governor’s signature).

Who is affected

  • Individuals who organize, host, permit, or participate in animal fighting operations (including owners/keepers of premises where fights occur).
  • Persons who place bets or wagers on animal fights.
  • Courts, prosecutors, and correctional/rehabilitation systems (to implement increased prison terms and mandatory community service).
  • Animal welfare and enforcement agencies involved in investigations and prosecutions.

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • Introduced in House (Rhode Island): March 14, 2025 (Reps. O’Brien, Dawson, Slater, Solomon, Casimiro, Kazarian, Alzate, Stewart, Baginski, Biah).
  • Referred to House Judiciary Committee (3/14/2025).
  • Committee recommended passage of Substitute A (6/16/2025).
  • House passed Sub A: 6/18/2025.
  • Senate passed Sub A in concurrence: 6/20/2025.
  • Transmitted to Governor: 6/23/2025.
  • Signed by Governor: 6/27/2025 — effective upon passage.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Strengthens deterrence through higher mandatory penalties for repeat offenders and adds guaranteed community-service obligations.
  • May lead to increased prosecutions and higher sentencing exposure for convicted individuals.
  • Implementation will require courts to impose non‑suspendable community service; coordination with community‑service providers and probation/corrections may be needed.
  • No changes in statutory language regarding seizure, forfeiture, or care of animals in fighting operations are included in this act; the change is scoped to penalties and community service.

Note: The enacted text is Substitute A (LC002380/SUB A) amending § 4‑1‑9; earlier unrelated draft language appearing in some versions does not form part of the final animal‑cruelty provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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