(a) Effective January 1, 2019, no municipality shall employ any animal control officer who has not received certification to be an animal control officer from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) or other equivalent organization as determined by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. All new hires will have a period of twelve (12) months from date of hire to receive certification. All existing personnel employed as animal control officers shall obtain their certification by January 1, 2019. (b) The training and certification program required by subsection (a) of this section shall incorporate instruction that shall meet NACA guidelines for certification, including, but not limited to, the following criteria: (1) Laws and regulations affecting animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty; (2) Domestic and wild animal behavior; (3) Handling and treatment of deceased or stray animals; and (4) Emergency procedures and conflict resolution skills.
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