# R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.1: Towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket €” Vicious dog ordinance

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.1

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.1
- **Heading:** Towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket €” Vicious dog ordinance
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 4 / Chapter 4-13 / Section 4-13-1.1

## Text

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section or the general laws to the contrary, the town councils of the towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick and Middletown may, by ordinance, provide that the owner or keeper of any dog that assaults any person shall be fined an amount not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) to be used as that city or town council may prescribe. However, this fine shall not be imposed unless the officer responsible for enforcement of that ordinance has conducted an investigation of the assault and has certified that the dog was off the property of its owner or keeper and at large at the time the assault occurred or that the assault resulted from the negligence of the owner or keeper.

(b) In the city of Woonsocket an owner shall not be declared negligent if an injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time that injury or damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, provoking, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1 § 4-13-1. Regulatory ordinances €” Enforcement and penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.1 § 4-13-1.1. Towns of Portsmouth, West Warwick, and Middletown and city of Woonsocket €” Vicious dog ordinance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.2 § 4-13-1.2. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.3 § 4-13-1.3. Rabies control board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-2 § 4-13-2. Tax imposed by cities and towns €” Enactment of local laws to prevent damage to livestock.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-4 § 4-13-4. Dog licenses €” Fees €” Penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-4.1 § 4-13-4.1. Notice to new owner of inoculation and licensing requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-4.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-5 § 4-13-5. License information and record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-7 § 4-13-7. Notice as to time and place of issuing licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-8 § 4-13-8. Disposition of license fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-9 § 4-13-9. Pups exempt from license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-10 § 4-13-10. Thoroughbred dogs exempt €” Kennel licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-11 § 4-13-11. Annual census of dogs €” List of licenses issued.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-13 § 4-13-13. Wrongful removal of collar €” Theft or destruction of licensed dogs €” Poisoning.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T4_C4-13_S4-13-1.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.