How Many Dogs Can You Have in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island doesn’t have many statewide laws regarding dog ownership, but most local towns and cities prohibit you from having more than three dogs.
Written by Matt Terzi
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
In
Rhode Island
, most towns and cities limit you to having no more than three dogs. Some towns allow you to have more, but you'd need to obtain a kennel license first.Few people realize there are local and state ordinances around the country that limit how many dogs you're allowed to have. And it makes sense, right? You don't want the Bumpus family to move in next door and unleash their horde of ravaging dogs on your holiday turkey.
Then again … come on, they're dogs! Who doesn't love dogs? They're playful, loving, protective, adorable best friends. But if you can see yourself easily taking care of a whole family of furry friends, you'll want to know what those laws are and how they'll affect your pack.
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Does Rhode Island have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
Little Rhody doesn't have any statewide statutes regarding dog ownership; instead, they leave it up to local governments to define the laws themselves.
Most towns and cities in Rhode Island limit everyone to three dogs per house or fewer per apartment. For instance, some areas, like the town of
Bristol
, allow you to have more than three dogs if you obtain a kennel license.Sadly for our feline friends, the city of
Providence
prohibits how many cats you can have, too: The law in Providence
states you can have three dogs and three cats, max.Some towns have specifically passed laws limiting pets in apartments, too. The town of
Woonsocket
states you can only have one dog per apartment. Burrillville
residents living in apartments, condos, duplexes, or multi-family homes are allowed two dogs per unit. You'll want to reach out to your local government to ask specifically what the local laws and limitations are in place if you are thinking about having more than a couple of dogs. It will be three in most areas, but it's always a good idea to check first.
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Rhode Island?
Thankfully, there aren't any specific dog breeds banned or outlawed in the State of Rhode Island. But there is
a state statute
that defines a so-called vicious dog—a dog deemed inherently dangerous or threatening—as any dog that:- Approaches someone and shows an apparent desire to attack someone unprovoked
- Has a known propensity for attacking people or animals without provocation
- Injures or attacks a person or an animal without provocation
- Has been raised or trained for dog fighting or another vicious purpose and was assessed by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA)
Dogs cannot be declared vicious if a person or animal is teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting them or if they're defending a human from an attack.
What are the leash laws in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island may not have any statewide laws regarding how many dogs you can have, but it does have
a statewide ordinance regarding leash laws
. However, it leaves it up to local governments whether or not to observe or enforce those rules and what those rules can consist of.These ordinances include not allowing dogs to run around unrestricted and never leaving dogs under the supervision of someone who can't physically maintain restrictive control. So think twice before handing over the leash of your 170 lb. Saint Bernard to a toddler!
Penalties for breaking dog laws in Rhode Island
So what happens if you violate these dog laws in Rhode Island? In most cases, you'll end up with what could turn out to be hefty fines. And in some extreme cases, like those involving animal abuse, someone could face jail time.
The State's leash ordinance allows communities to issue fines of up to $250 for finding dogs off their leashes. These fines will vary from one town to the next, just like the cap on how many dogs you're allowed to have in Rhode Island.
For instance, in the town of
Westerly
, an ordinance permits the animal control officer to issue citations for dogs without leashes that aren't on their owner's property, with a $25 penalty for each offense.In Exeter, the town council can impose an initial fee of up to $15 to impound a dog, plus $2 per day the dog is in doggie jail. They can also require dog owners committing their third offense to provide proof of $100,000 in
liability insurance
for a 12-month period.When dogs are responsible for damages, the dog's keeper holds all civil liability. This might include, but isn't limited to, compensation for the injury or death of any domestic animal, medical bills related to an attack, property damage, etc.
Where to find affordable insurance in Rhode Island
Your dog is more than just a friend. They're family—your best friend. You watch out for them, and they watch out for you right back. Or at least, they try to.
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