Chapter 7.56
POLICE DOGS
Sections:
7.56.020 Interference with and abuse of police dogs prohibited.
7.56.030 Reimbursement to county.
7.56.040 Exemptions from animal code.
7.56.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
“Police dog” means a dog used by a law enforcement agency specially trained for law enforcement work and under the control of a dog handler.
“Dog handler” means a law enforcement officer who has successfully completed training as prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission in police dog handling. (Res. 91-102 § 1, 11/5/91).
7.56.020 Interference with and abuse of police dogs prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
A. Wilfully or maliciously interfere with, obstruct, torture, beat, kick, strike, mutilate, disable, shoot, poison, kill, or in any other way abuse, tease or harass a police dog;
B. Harass a police dog while said police dog is confined in its quarters, an automobile, kennel, fenced area, or while it is under the control of a dog handler;
C. Wilfully or maliciously interfere with a police dog or dog handler while said police dog or dog handler is engaged in lawful police activities.
Any violation of this section shall constitute a gross misdemeanor. (Res. 91-102 § 2, 11/5/91).
7.56.030 Reimbursement to county.
Any person who kills or permanently disables a police dog as a result of an unlawful act set forth in Section 7.56.020 shall be liable for, and shall pay to the general fund of Chelan County, the value of the police dog at such time the incident occurred, which shall include costs incurred in the training, care, feeding and purchase cost of such police dog, and any veterinarian bills incurred as a result of the unlawful activity. (Res. 91-102 § 3, 11/5/91).
7.56.040 Exemptions from animal code.
A. All police dogs and all dogs being trained as police dogs shall be exempt from all provisions of the Chelan County Code relating to animal control, with the exception of the Code covering rabies vaccination. If a police dog is required under Chelan County Code to be quarantined, such dog will be quarantined at the handlers’ residence.
B. All police dogs and all dogs being trained as police dogs shall be exempt from all licensing fees set forth by Chelan County, but such dogs shall be registered with the animal control agency for the county. (Res. 91-102 § 4, 11/5/91).