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6/11/2024
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General Assembly approves Rep. Slater and Sen. LaMountain’s ‘captive hunting’ ban
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Scott A. Slater and Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain that would prohibit “captive hunting” in Rhode Island. “Captive hunting” is defined in the legislation as a hunt that occurs within a structure designed to restrict the free movement of animals and prevents the animal from escaping.
“Physically preventing an animal from escaping death is not hunting and I do not know a single active hunter who thinks such practices are acceptable, either. This cruel form of ‘entertainment or sport’ has no place in our state and I thank my colleagues in the legislature for supporting this bill that will prevent captive hunting from ever taking hold in Rhode Island,” said Representative Slater.
“Not only is it ethically wrong to stack the deck against a defenseless animal while hunting, but this practice also poses a considerable risk to the health and well-being of our environment. Importing non-native species for captive hunting could bring disease and devastation that can never be undone to our state’s wildlife. The ecological risks and moral uncertainty associated with captive hunting means that this practice has no place in our state,” said Senator LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston).
The bill (2024-H 7294A, 2024-S 2732A) describes the structures used as fences, manmade structures, or natural barriers designed to prevent animals from escaping or fleeing the confined area of the hunt. Private lands set up as hunting or shooting preserves, or game ranches, are included in the definition.
The legislation also states no species of animal may be imported or intentionally or unintentionally captured for the use of “captive hunting.” The legislation would not apply to the release of domestic game birds on public property, or on private property that is licensed by the Department of Environmental Management as a shooting preserve, for the purpose of hunting.
The bill now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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