The town council of any town, or the city council of any city, may establish any regulations as they may deem proper in reference to cattle or other animals coming from outside this state by railroad, for the health and safety of the cattle and other animals, for preventing the obstruction of the public highways by them, for the safety of the people who may have occasion to use the highways, and with reference to the slaughtering or selling of the cattle or other animals, or the flesh of these, for human food, within the limits of their town or city.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19.2-9