S 2610Civil Procedure

Animals and Animal Husbandry - Cruelty to Animals

This bill allows dog and cat owners to sue for money if someone intentionally or negligently hurts their pet.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation creates a civil legal right for pet owners to sue individuals who intentionally or negligently injure or kill their dog or cat. It specifically allows for the recovery of "noneconomic damages," such as loss of companionship and affection. The bill establishes a minimum payout of $500 for serious injury and $750 for death, with a total cap of $7,500. To qualify, the incident must occur on the owner's property or while the pet is under their control. 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 dog or cat on purpose or by accident, this bill says the owner can take them to court. The person who hurt the pet might have to pay money to the owner because the family is sad about losing their friend. The law says the payment must be at least $500 for a bad injury and up to $7,500. This only counts if the pet was at home or walking with its owner. It does not apply to animal shelter workers doing their jobs.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Pet OwnersHomeownersInsurance CompaniesAttorneysPet Caretakers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Recognizes the emotional bond between humans and animals by allowing compensation for loss of companionship, moving the legal system away from viewing living beings solely as inanimate property.
Provides a mechanism for justice for lower-income pet owners by establishing minimum damage amounts, making it more feasible to hold offenders accountable without incurring prohibitive legal costs.
Promotes community welfare and safety by imposing financial consequences for negligence and cruelty toward animals, potentially deterring future abusive behavior.
The liability cap of $7,500 may be insufficient to punish wealthy offenders or truly compensate for the emotional trauma and loss of a beloved family member.
Exempts government agencies and non-profits, potentially shielding state actors and institutions from accountability if they act negligently toward animals in their care.
Restricts protections strictly to dogs and cats, excluding owners of other companion animals from seeking similar justice and reinforcing a hierarchy of animal value.

For Conservatives

Establishes a strict monetary cap ($7,500) on noneconomic damages, preventing excessive payouts and protecting citizens from run-away jury verdicts in emotional cases.
Protects the rights of property owners to seek restitution when their property (in this case, a pet) is damaged or destroyed by the actions of another.
Explicitly protects government agencies and employees from liability, ensuring that animal control and public health operations are not hindered by constant litigation.
Creates a new category of "noneconomic damages" for animals, which undermines traditional property law and could be a slippery slope toward granting legal personhood to pets.
Increases the potential for frivolous litigation between neighbors, weaponizing the court system for minor disputes rather than actual economic losses.
Imposes government-mandated minimum fines on private citizens for "negligence," which could penalize accidental behavior too harshly and infringe on personal freedom.

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.