Providence County, RI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) regulates wildlife feeding under RIGL §20-1 et seq. and the Fish and Wildlife regulations. Specifically, RI DEM prohibits baiting and intentional feeding of white-tailed deer statewide (RI DEM Hunting Regulations), with fines up to $500. Coyote feeding is strongly discouraged and may be treated as creating a public nuisance. Providence has an active urban coyote population and issues public advisories under the Narragansett Bay Coyote Study framework. Providence Code Chapter 4 (Animals) and similar municipal codes treat unsecured trash, pet food left outdoors, and intentional feeding of wild animals as potential nuisance violations. Feeding Canada geese at Roger Williams Park, Slater Park (Pawtucket), and other public spaces is typically prohibited by park rules. Black bears are expanding into northwestern RI (Burrillville, Glocester) and unintentional bear feeding via bird feeders and trash is actively discouraged by RI DEM. Rats are a significant public health issue — Providence Code §13-9 prohibits conditions attracting rodents, which intersects with wildlife feeding rules.