Includes animal cruelty offenses to the domestic violence crimes committed by a family or household members against another.

## Plain-English Summary

This bill would expand Rhode Island's domestic violence laws to include acts of animal cruelty. Under current law, certain crimes are treated as domestic violence offenses when committed by one family or household member against another — things like assault, threats, or property damage. This bill would add animal cruelty to that list, meaning that if someone in a household harms or abuses an animal belonging to a family or household member, it could be prosecuted as a domestic violence offense.

Being classified as a domestic violence offense typically comes with additional legal consequences and protections beyond a standard criminal charge. These can include protective orders, mandatory arrest policies, and other measures designed to protect victims in the home. By including animal cruelty under this umbrella, the bill aims to address situations where a person may harm a pet as a way of intimidating, controlling, or threatening a partner, family member, or housemate — a pattern that researchers have documented in abusive relationships.

This bill would primarily affect people living in households where animal abuse occurs alongside other forms of domestic conflict, including victims of domestic abuse, their pets, and those accused of animal cruelty within a household setting. Law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors in Rhode Island would also be affected, as they would handle animal cruelty cases differently when they occur in a domestic context. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and is currently being held for further study.