Dog & Animal Laws
Dogs Running Loose
Leash your dog to go outside.
- 1st Offense: $50 Ticket
- 2nd Offense: $100 Ticket
- 3rd Offense: $150 Ticket
Dog Barking Law
Don't tie your dog outside between 10 pm & 7 am.
If your dog is barking for more than 15 minutes straight during the day, that is considered "Disturbing the Peace".
- 1st Offense: $50.00
- 2nd Offense: Court: Judge can assess a fine between $100 - $200
Dog Population Law
Single family home: 3 dogs
Apartment: 1 dog
- 1st Offense: $50 Ticket
- 2nd Offense: $100 Ticket
- 3rd Offense: $150 Ticket
These fines are for each day that you have the extra dog. It costs $45 to surrender a dog or a cat to the shelter. Appointments only. If you are caught trying to abandon the dog, there is a $250 fine.
Dog Bite Law
A dog cannot bite any person, even the owner.
Dog bites can cause people to get sick.
- 1st Offense: Court & $100.00 Ticket
Dog License
Licenses are available at City Hall for $5.
- Every dog must licensed by six months old.
- Fine: 1st Offense: $50.00 Ticket,
- 2nd Offense: $100.00 Ticket
- 3rd Offense: $150.00 Ticket
- A new license must be obtained every year by April.
- Farm Animal Law : No farm animals are allowed in the city (rabbits, cows, goats, pigs, roosters, sheep, etc.) because they can pass diseases to people.
- 1st Offense: $50 Ticket
- 2nd Offense: $100 Ticket
- 3rd Offense: $150 Ticket
This information was compiled by the students in Woonsocket Middle School Rooms 214B & 112, with assistance from the Woonsocket Animal Shelter.