Chapter 7.40
HUNTING
Sections:
7.40.040 Violation – Civil penalties.
7.40.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to prevent hunting, capturing and killing of animals and birds and the danger such activities bring to the general public within the corporate town limits of La Conner. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]
7.40.020 Definitions.
The words and phrases used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, shall have the following meanings.
(1) “Animal control officer” means code enforcement officer or anyone designated by the mayor or town administrator.
(2) “Animal or bird” means any wild, domestic or feral domestic animal or bird.
(3) “Vermin” means small common harmful or objectionable animals that are difficult to control, birds and mammals that prey on game, or animals that at a particular time and place compete (as for food) with humans or domestic animals. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]
7.40.030 Prohibited conduct.
It is unlawful to hunt, trap, kill or capture, or attempt to hunt, trap, kill or capture, any animal or bird within the town; provided, that this section shall not apply to the following persons or activities:
(1) Hunting, trapping, or capturing of animals or birds by animal control officers, law enforcement officers or game department personnel while engaged in the performance of their official duties;
(2) Hunting, trapping, or capturing of rats, mice, moles or similar vermin; or
(3) The nonlethal trapping or capturing of animals or birds by means designed to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals or birds for the purpose of removal and relocation or humane destruction of a dangerous animal or an animal or bird suffering from a serious injury or disease, as approved by the town animal control officer following the guidelines of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]
7.40.040 Violation – Civil penalties.
A violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction for which a civil penalty may be imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]
7.40.050 Penalty.
Any person or persons to violate a provision of this chapter may be liable for a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]
7.40.060 Judicial appeal.
As per LCMC 1.15.070:
(1) The decision of the municipal court shall be final and conclusive with the right to appeal to the district court of Skagit County in the case of a nondefault decision only.
(2) Notice of the appeal and any other required pleadings shall be filed with the court as required by law.
(3) The cost of transcribing and preparing all records ordered certified by the court or desired by the appellant for such appeal shall be borne by the appellant. [Ord. 1012 § 1, 2008.]