Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry § 4-13.1-5. Harboring dogs for dog fighting--Training dogs to attack humans--Selling, breeding, or buying dogs

(a) No person shall own or harbor any dog for the purpose of dog fighting; or train, torment, badger, bait, or use any dog for the purpose of causing or encouraging the dog to unprovoked attacks upon human beings or domestic animals.

(b) No person shall possess with intent to sell, or offer for sale, breed, or buy, or attempt to buy, within the state any vicious dog.

(c) Any dog described in subsection (a) or (b) of this section lawfully seized by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, agent or officer of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shall be placed in the care of the RISPCA pursuant to the provisions of § 4-1-22 -- § 4-1-31.

(d) The RISPCA shall utilize a timely process to determine the disposition of the dog and provide for prompt transfer to an appropriate rescue organization or adoptive home with humane euthanization occurring only if the dog's medical and/or behavioral condition warrants such action or it is determined, after reasonable time and effort have been expended, that no appropriate placement for the dog exists.