H 7545Consumer Protection

Animals and Animal Husbandry - Cruelty to Animals

Pet owners can now sue for up to $7,500 in emotional damages if someone negligently kills or injures their pet.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee House Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation creates a new legal right for pet owners to sue individuals who intentionally or negligently kill or seriously injure their dog or cat. It specifically allows owners to recover "noneconomic damages," compensating for the loss of companionship, love, and affection. The bill sets a maximum limit of $7,500 for these damages, with minimum amounts of $500 for injury and $7,500 for death. To qualify, the incident must occur on the owner's property or while the pet is under supervision. Government agencies and non-profits acting for public health or animal welfare are exempt from this liability.

For younger readers

If someone hurts or kills a family's dog or cat on purpose or by accident, this new rule says they might have to pay money to the owners. This money is to help make up for the sadness of losing a friend they loved. The person who did it might have to pay up to $7,500. This rule only counts if the pet was at home or with its owner when it happened. It does not apply to animal shelter workers, police, or other government workers doing their jobs.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Dog and Cat OwnersPet CaretakersVehicle DriversCivil AttorneysInsurance Companies

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Acknowledges the emotional bond between humans and animals by legally recognizing pets as more than just property, validating the mental health impact of their loss.
Provides a mechanism for accountability and restitution for families who suffer the trauma of having a companion animal killed or maimed by another's negligence.
Establishes minimum damage amounts, ensuring that even lower-income pet owners can seek meaningful compensation without legal costs outweighing the potential recovery.
Explicitly exempts government agencies and employees, shielding police officers from liability when they wrongfully kill or injure pets, a significant issue in many communities.
The definition of "pet" is restricted to dogs and cats, failing to extend protection and recognition to owners of other companion animals like rabbits or birds.
Imposing financial liability for "negligent" acts could disproportionately burden low-income individuals who accidentally injure a pet, potentially driving them into debt.

For Conservatives

Establishes a strict cap of $7,500 on noneconomic damages, preventing runaway jury verdicts and excessive litigation costs often associated with emotional distress claims.
Reinforces the concept of personal responsibility by holding individuals financially accountable for the damage they cause to the property of others.
Protects taxpayer-funded government agencies and non-profit organizations from lawsuits, ensuring public health and animal control operations are not hampered by litigation.
Creates a dangerous precedent by introducing "noneconomic damages" for animals, effectively blurring the legal distinction between human life and property.
Increases the volume of civil litigation between private citizens, potentially clogging the courts with neighborhood disputes over animal accidents.
Penalizes citizens for accidents (negligence) rather than just intentional acts, potentially punishing people for unforeseen events involving loose animals.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 39 additions

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

(a) If a person's pet is seriously injured or killed or sustains injuries which result in death caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent act of another, the trier of fact may find the individual causing the injury or death liable for up to a maximum of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) in noneconomic damages; provided that, if such injury or death is caused by the negligent or intentional act of another, the injury, death or fatal injury must occur on the property of the injured or deceased pet's owner or caretaker, or while under the control and supervision of the injured or deceased pet's owner or caretaker.

(b) A person liable for the serious injury or death of a pet pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be liable for a minimum recovery for noneconomic damages as follows:

(1) Any person liable for the serious injury of a pet pursuant to the provisions of subsection

(a) of this section shall be liable to the owner of the pet in damages for noneconomic loss in a sum not less than five hundred dollars ($500).

(2) Any person liable for the death or injury resulting in death of a pet pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be liable to the owner of the pet in damages for noneconomic loss in a sum not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).

(3) The recovery of noneconomic damages pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be limited to a single recovery in the case of joint or multiple owners of the pet suffering serious injury or death.

(c) Noneconomic damages awarded pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited to, compensation for the loss of the reasonably expected society, companionship, love and affection of the pet.

(d) Limits for noneconomic damages set out in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any related causes of action to include, but not be limited to, intentional infliction of severe emotional distress; provided, however, the limitation on the recovery of noneconomic damages pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall only apply to the claim for negligent injury or death of the pet.

(e) As used in this section:

(1) “Caretaker” means any person to whom the pet owner has voluntarily relinquished temporary control, custody and/or supervision of their pet.

(2) "Pet" means any domesticated dog or cat normally maintained in or near the household of its owner.

(3) "Seriously injured" means any physical injury consisting of broken bone(s) or permanently disfiguring lacerations requiring stiches or sutures.

(f) This section shall not apply to any not-for-profit entity or governmental agency or their employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on behalf of the public health or animal welfare.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.