Rhode Island Statewide Rule
Rhode Island Livestock at Large: Impoundment Under RIGL 4-15
Key Facts
- Governing statute
- RIGL § 4-15-3
- Covered animals
- Horses, cattle, sheep, hogs
- Enforcer
- Town surveyor of highways
- Horse/cattle pound fee
- Up to $5.00
- Statutory penalty
- Up to $2.00 per animal
Summary
Rhode Island treats horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs running loose on any highway or common as animals at large. Under RIGL § 4-15-3 the town surveyor of highways must take up the animal and impound it in a municipal pound.
§ 4-15-3. Impoundment of animals at large on highways. If any horse, neat-beast, sheep, or hog is going at large in any highway or common, or on any land thrown open as a way for public travel and used by the public for travel, any freeholder or qualified elector or field driver may, and every surveyor of highways of the town within which that animal is at large shall, take up the animal and impound it in one of the public pounds of that city or town, and every surveyor of highways of the city or town may appoint in writing a deputy or deputies for that purpose, filing in the office of the city or town clerk a copy of that appointment.
Full Breakdown
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-15-3, any horse, neat-beast (cattle), sheep, or hog going at large on a highway, common, or land opened for public travel is subject to impoundment. Every town surveyor of highways must seize the animal and confine it in a public pound, and may appoint written deputies; freeholders, qualified electors, and field drivers may also take it up. Section 4-15-7 sets the poundkeeper's charges, up to $5 per horse or cow, $3 per sheep or hog, $1 per notice given to the owner, plus a statutory penalty of up to $2 per animal, all payable before the owner reclaims the stock.
Violations & Penalties
Owners cannot retrieve impounded livestock until they pay keeping expenses, per-head fees, and the up-to-$2 statutory penalty; unclaimed animals are advertised and sold under RIGL §§ 4-15-9 through 4-15-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rhode Island require livestock owners to keep animals confined?
What does it cost to reclaim an impounded animal?
Sources
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