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Animal Advocates Present Serpa With Animal Compassion Award

[CREDIT: Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau] Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, center, stands with Mario Hilario, right and Providence City Councilman Nicholas Narducci, treasurer of the Friends of Providence Animal Care & Control Center after receiving the Mario Hilario Animal Compassion Award Wednesday during a wine tasting to benefit the Providence Animal Shelter.

[CREDIT: Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau] Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, center, stands with Mario Hilario, right and Providence City Councilman Nicholas Narducci, treasurer of the Friends of Providence Animal Care & Control Center after receiving the Mario Hilario Animal Compassion Award Wednesday during a wine tasting to benefit the Providence Animal Shelter.
[CREDIT: Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau] Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, center, stands with Mario Hilario, right and Providence City Councilman Nicholas Narducci, treasurer of the Friends of Providence Animal Care & Control Center after receiving the Mario Hilario Animal Compassion Award Wednesday during a wine tasting to benefit the Providence Animal Shelter.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Legislative Press and Information Bureau.

STATE HOUSE — The Friends of Providence Animal Care & Control Center presented Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) with its Mario Hilario Animal Compassion Award during a wine tasting Wednesday night at the Roger Williams Park casino to benefit the animals under the care of the city of Providence.

Representative Serpa received the award, along with Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston), for her longtime legislative advocacy of animals in the House of Representatives.

 “I have always thought that it’s important for us to give legislative protections to those who have no vote and cannot speak for themselves,” said Representative Serpa. “I am truly honored to receive this award from a group that does so much work to ensure the safety and welfare of Providence animals and look forward to continuing to make sure all animals are protected under the law.”

Representative Serpa is a longtime advocate for animal rights. Two of her animal protection bills became law earlier this year. The first prohibits mistreatment of animals — specifically the failure to provide adequate water, shelter or veterinary care. It also prevents exposure for a period of more than 15 minutes whenever a weather advisory or warning has been issued.

The second outlaws battery cages, making changes in the definitions of what constitutes unlawful confinement of any sow during gestation, calf raised for veal or egg-laying hen kept on a farm.

The Friends of Providence Animal Care & Control Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Providence Animal Shelter. Since 2011 the organization has been fostering the humane care of animals in the City of Providence. Its animal compassion award is named after television personality Mario Hilario for his advocacy for animals and longtime affiliation with the organization.

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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