Bill Banning Dogs from Vets Cemetery is Introduced

STATE HOUSE—Lawmakers will consider a bill that would ban the presence of pets from the state Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Exeter on Wednesday.

The bill was introduced after an increasing number of incidents involving people walking their dogs in the burial ground and not cleaning up messes, among other concerns.

“This legislation is about honoring the memory of our deceased veterans. The Veterans’ Cemetery is the final resting place of our military heroes, it is not a dog park,” said Representative Malik (D-Dist. 67, Warren, Barrington). “The Veterans’ Cemetery is not a recreational space. It is a place that deserves our respect and memorializes all those who lay in its grounds.”

The bill, if approved, would ban the walking of any domestic animal on the grounds of the cemetery. An exception for service dogs is part of the bill.

A violator could be fined $500.

Many other states ban pets out of the respect for the date. The bill would bring Rhode Island in line with those states.

The 265-acre cemetery was the site of six complaints over the past year.

Frank Rosebrock, head of the Veteran of Foreign Wars department, told the Associated Press that he “can’t believe” the disrespect from some dog owners who have treated the cemetery as a dog park.

A similar bill faltered in the General Assembly last year over enforcement concerns.