Rhode Island laws....? a little help please :)

[sparkette65]

It's me, the new pain in the b*tt on your BYC forum... I found this under RI law, and I dont know what, if anything, it means.... anyone??
Thanks,
Lori




(2) "Domestic animals" means animals which, through extremely long association with humans, have been bred to a degree which has resulted in genetic changes affecting the temperament, color, conformation, or other attributes of the species to an extent that makes them unique and distinguishable from wild individuals of their species. Such animals may include but are not limited to:
(i) Domestic dog (Canis familiaris);
(ii) Domestic cat (Felis catus);
(iii) Domestic horse (Equus caballus);
(iv) Domestic ass, burro, and donkey (Equus asinus);
(v) Domestic cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus);
(vi) Domestic sheep (Ovi aries);
(vii) Domestic goat (Capra hircus);
(viii) Domestic swine (Sus scrofa domestica);
(ix) Llama (lama alama);
(x) Alpaca (lama pacos);
(xi) Camels (Camelus bactrianus and Camel dromedarius);
(xii) Domestic races of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus);
(xiii) Domestic races of chickens (Callus gallus);
(xiv) Domestic races of duck and geese (Anatidae) morphologically distinguishable from wild birds;
(xv) Domestic races of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris);
(xvi) Domestic races of peafowl (Pavo scristatus).

 

[GardenerGal]

The tract you posted just lists the various genera/species of animals that are considered to be domestic animals (that is, animals that have been kept, tamed and bred by humans for either pet or utility purposes). It doesn't indicate any difference between those considered to be pets and those considered to be farm animals.

Your local town or city will have more specific rules (e.g. ordinances) concerning any restrictions or bans, or regulations controlling the keeping of any of the animals on that list.

BTW, I went to URI and was in what was then the agricultural college - College of Resource Development (I think it's called College of Environmental Something-or-Other these days. ) and there was a poultry and gamebird center at the East Farm campus. I wonder if it's still there. If they still have a poultry science dept. the profs there probably could tell you more specific stuff about RI livestock and poultry matters. The Cooperative Extension office would be a great resource as well.

 

[RIgirl]

I knew folks in West Kingston who had chickens. They also had horses, so I don't know if it was particular zoning or what, but they had em.

 

[Biddieacres]

Quote:
East farm is still there and I believe the poultry center is there. I just moved from the URI area and I do know that the main office for 4-H is at the East Farm. I bet they would be lots of help. When I lived there I had 8 hens this past year, but I don't know if they were technically legal. I never did find out for sure. I believe you can even email them if you look on the URI website.

 

[RIgirl]

You know, the official state bird is a chicken, so just get Rhode Island Red's and claim state pride

 

[Biddieacres]

I always thought that was so cool! I lived in RI most of my life. I have a new hatch in a few days and the daddy is RIR.

By the way,

Lori. Hope you can have hens where you are. Also, you may be able to search online for your specific town and the bylaws. I did that where I live now and found it is allowed.