R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-23: Sworn testimony before appraiser.

Whenever any owner of a sheep or lamb, cattle, horse, hog or fowl, suffering loss by reason of the biting, maiming or killing by any dog, notifies the appraiser as provided in §§ 4-13-20 and 4-13-21, the appraiser shall require the owner and any other person to be sworn before him or her, touching the loss, and, when sworn, to answer in writing as to any facts or circumstances relating to the loss, and the special constable or appraiser shall administer the oath.