Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry § 4-13.1-1. Declaration of purpose

(a) It is declared that vicious dogs have become a serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of citizens of the state, in that vicious dogs have in recent years assaulted without provocation and seriously injured numerous individuals, particularly children, and have killed numerous dogs.  Many of these attacks have occurred in public places.

(b) The number and severity of these attacks are also attributable to the failure of owners to register, confine, and properly control vicious dogs.

(c) It is further declared that the necessity for the regulation and control of vicious dogs is a statewide problem, requiring statewide regulation, and that existing laws are inadequate to deal with the threat to public health and safety posed by vicious dogs.

(d) It is further declared that the owning, keeping or harboring of vicious dogs is a nuisance.

(e) It is further declared that because of the danger posed to the public, health, safety and welfare by vicious dogs, this chapter constitutes an emergency measure providing for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare.