R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-17-10: Possession by dealers or restaurants of wildlife not authorized for sale.

No person, firm, corporation, or association dealing in poultry, meats, fish, groceries, or other provision, or any other business that requires, or has, an ice box or cold storage or freezing vault, of any description, for use in connection with his or her, their or its business, and no hotel, club, public house, restaurant, or victualer’s house shall purchase or possess any bird or animal, the sale of which is prohibited, without first obtaining a permit from the director.