Daily Briefing: Animal cruelty cases are increasing in RI

ALSO: The last 24 hours of an ACI inmate. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu May 2 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at [The Providence Journal]( and this is the Daily Briefing. The stories are typically gruesome and the photos are often even worse. The reporting of animal abuse cases is never of joy. The images of emaciated dogs or farm animals left to simply die pull at the heart and make you wonder who could do such a thing. Unfortunately, these cases are on the rise in Rhode Island. [The Journal's Jack Perry recently visited the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals where calls to provide assistance have increased dramatically over the years.]( For instance, the RISPCA eight years ago investigated an average of 75 complaints annually, but by 2022, the agency received 350 calls for service and surpassed that number in 2023. In 2023, the agency seized more than 400 animals. [dogbefore.jpg] Here's what one of the dogs looked like when it came into the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' care. Provided by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Why has the number of cases increased and how is the RISPCA handling the need for more complaints? [Check out Jack's story to learn more.]( • As advocates call for an outside investigation after four people died at the ACI in three months one inmate is shedding some light on one of those deaths. [The Journal's Katie Mulvaney talked with Franklin Baxley, who detailed the roughly 24 hours before his cellmate Willie K. Washington Jr. was taken to the hospital unresponsive and later pronounced dead.]( • While the situation may not have garnered the headlines coming from places such as Columbia or UCLA, Brown University has gained plenty of attention lately for protests, but in that division at least one student sees a need to open up dialogue. [Journal columnist Mark Patinkin writes about Naomi Umlauf]( – who is both African American and Jewish – and will join her grandmother tonight for the launch of the English version of her memoir about surviving the Holocaust, and offers a perspective "to recognize the need for dialog between two peoples in an effort for peace.” • Providence basketball coach Kim English has message for teams trying to lure his players away: Call him first. [Journal sports reporter Bill Koch has the latest as the wild college portal closes for the season.]( • Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo may be busy planning her wedding with NFL star Christian McCaffery, but she recently took some time to share her list of favorite Rhode Island restaurants. [Take a look at her recommendations.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ A look at [Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy's top campaign donors]( [List of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season storm names]( starts with Alberto and Beryl Mass. Supreme Court: [DA must name officers in police misconduct investigations]( RHODY RANKS Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails. Ahead of World Naked Gardening Day on May 4, LawnStarter ranked [2024's Best Cities for Naked Gardening](. In Rhode Island, the top city to bare it all and pull some weeds is Providence, ranking as the 116th best city for naked gardening in the U.S. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( Intervals of clouds and sun; a shower cannot be ruled out. Highs in the low 70s. TOP STORIES [New brass: 10 Rhode Island police chiefs sworn in over the last year.]( [Chief of Police John Urban Jr. enters the North Kingstown station.]( Rhode Island's police chiefs have noticed more than a few new faces at their monthly gatherings over the last year. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi.]( [Former North Providence employee accused of damaging mayor's car]( In 2020, Mayor Charles A. Lombardi fired an employee who is now charged in a conspiracy to damage Lombardi's car, state police say. [READ MORE]( [Helena Foulkes comes out triumphant despite her loss at the Aloft Hotel on election night.]( [Who is raising money to run for RI governor? Here's a look]( Helena Foulkes, who was narrowly defeated by McKee in the 2022 primary, is raising money like she wants a rematch. [READ MORE]( [Published Caption: With an unprecedented volume of mail-in voting expected, the winners of some close General Assembly races likely won’t be known until long after election night. [The Providence Journal, file / Sandor Bodo] Original Caption: PROVIDENCE, RI -- 5/14/2016 Rhode Island belly dancers from Providence and Bristol groups are practicing their craft on the steps of the Rhode island State House belly dancers all over the world are practicing their shimmies to make belly dance history once again! On Saturday, May 14, Shimmy Mobs, or belly dance flash mobs, will be appearing randomly in cities from coast to coast and across continents to promote World Belly Dance Day. Its purpose is to help raise funds for women???s shelters around the world. This is the sixth anniversary of Shimmy Mob.or us this Saturday!Team Providence and Team Bristol will be performing together in the Waterplace Park area this Saturday. The dancers will meet at 10:30 am on the steps of the State House for one last rehearsal before entertaining surprised audiences in the area. Sandor Bodo/The Providence Journal 1008230567 ri_pvd_Belly]( [RI doctors urge lawmakers to pass 'shield law.' Here's what they say]( Do RI doctors need protection from out of state anti-abortion, anti-transgender laws? [READ MORE]( [Connor Valois, North Kingstown boys volleyball]( [NK spikes red-hot Cranston East in four to stay atop Division I standings]( If North Kingstown succeeds in its goal to get better by the end of the season, it's going to succeed in its other goal - to win the state championship. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. 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