Paws Up!
To the Rhode Island legislature for passing a bill allowing for the appointment of an animal advocate in court cases.
The Rhode Island legislature recently passed H 7139, which allows “[t]he director of the department of environmental management [to]designate a department veterinarian or veterinarians to act as animal advocates. A general agent or special agent from the Rhode Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals may also act in that capacity. [In addition}, [t]he animal advocate shall make recommendations to any court before which the custody or well-being of an animal is at issue.”
Animal advocates in court can help bring about better outcomes for abused and neglected animals.
Animals at federally-licensed research facilities are exempt from this bill.
Take Action: Rhode Island residents, write your legislators thanking them for protecting the animals of your state. Residents of other states, contact your legislators and encourage them to protect animals by sponsoring similar legislation.
