Rhode Island General Laws Title 4. Animals and Animal Husbandry § 4-4-3. Reporting of diseased animals--Destruction

Any owner of an animal suspected of having an animal disease determined by the director of environmental management to be contagious or injurious to public health or to the health of other animals, or any veterinarian who treats that animal, or any other person or institution having knowledge of a diseased animal, shall make a report of that information to the state department of environmental management in any manner and form as the department prescribes by regulation. The director of environmental management shall promulgate by rule a list of those animals determined to be contagious or injurious. The director of environmental management, if he or she determines an animal to have a contagious or communicable disease, shall cause that animal to be killed and the carcass to be disposed of in any manner as not to be detrimental to the public health.