Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry § 4-13.1-4. Control of vicious dogs

(a) All dogs that have been declared vicious shall be confined in an enclosure. It is unlawful for any owner or keeper to maintain a dog that has been declared vicious upon any premises which does not have a locked enclosure.

(b) It is unlawful for any owner or keeper to allow any vicious dog to be outside of the dwelling of the owner or keeper or outside of the enclosure unless it is necessary for the owner or keeper to obtain veterinary care for the vicious dog or to comply with commands or directions of the dog officer with respect to the vicious dog, or to comply with the provisions of § 4-13.1-3(a)(1) or (a)(2). In this event, the vicious dog shall be securely muzzled and restrained with a leash or chain having a minimum tensile strength of three hundred (300) pounds and not exceeding three feet (3′) in length, and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the owner or keeper of the vicious dog.