Chapter 6.16
OFFENSES AGAINST ANIMALS
Sections:
6.16.010 Mistreatment of animals.
6.16.020 Chapter 46.61 RCW, entitled “Rules of the Road” – Adoption by reference.
6.16.030 Chapter 16.52 RCW, entitled “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” – Adoption by reference.
6.16.040 Chapter 16.54 RCW, entitled “Abandoned Animals” – Adoption by reference.
6.16.010 Mistreatment of animals.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
1. Upon striking an animal with a motor vehicle, failing to stop at once and render reasonable assistance. The person shall make reasonable attempts to notify the owner of the animal and shall report the accident to the animal control authority or department immediately. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this subsection shall in no way be construed to impose financial liability upon the owner of a vehicle for the injury or death of the animal stricken.
2. Possess any type of cock spurs, slashes, gaffs, or other tools, equipment, devices or training facilities for the purpose of training and/or engaging fowl or poultry in combat with another.
3. Tether a domestic animal in a manner or place that it can become easily entangled, cannot move freely, cannot reach shelter or water, or is likely to suffer injury, pain, or inadequate oxygen. The area where the animal is tethered shall be free of dangerous material such as glass, sharp metal, nails, or other similar objects, or fecal matter, and permits the animal to stand up, lay down, and to freely turn around. The tether must be a minimum length of three times the length of the animal measured from the nose to the end of the tail.
4. Trap any animal using a steel jaw trap or any type of animal trap not approved by the animal control authority. Any approved trap shall be checked at least once in the morning and once in the evening, and the animal control authority shall be notified immediately if any animal is trapped. Any trapped animal shall be treated in a humane manner including providing adequate food and water and adequate shelter. The following persons are exempt from this subsection:
a. A wildlife trapper with a valid trapping permit from the Washington State Department of Fish and Game; and
b. A licensed pest control agent used for the eradication of rats and mice.
5. Confine any animal without first supplying and maintaining for the duration of such confinement adequate food and water, adequate shelter, proper sanitation, a sufficient daily quantity of heat, air, lights, and veterinary care if needed.
6. Kill any animal, except in self defense, defense of another, when medically necessary at the direction of a licensed veterinarian, or when required to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare. Animals shall be killed in a humane manner. An animal that has bitten or scratched a human or domesticated animal shall not be killed by shooting it in the head.
7. Confine an animal within or on a motor vehicle under such conditions as may endanger the health or safety of the animal, including but not limited to extreme temperatures, lack of food, water, air, or attention, or confinement with a dangerous animal. The animal control authority is authorized to remove and impound an animal from any motor vehicle when it is reasonably believed to be confined in violation of this subsection. Written notice of such removal and impound, including the officer’s name, shall be left in a conspicuous, secure location on or within the vehicle. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.16.020 Chapter 46.61 RCW, entitled “Rules of the Road” – Adoption by reference.
The following RCW sections, as currently enacted or as hereafter amended or recodified from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference and shall be given the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full:
RCW
46.61.660 Carrying persons or animals on outside part of vehicle.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.16.030 Chapter 16.52 RCW, entitled “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” – Adoption by reference.
The following RCW sections, as currently enacted or as hereafter amended or recodified from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference and shall be given the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full:
RCW
16.52.011 Definitions – Principles of liability.
16.52.015 Enforcement – Law enforcement agencies and animal care and control agencies.
16.52.080 Transporting or confining in unsafe manner – Penalty.
16.52.085 Removal of animals for feeding – Examination – Notice – Euthanasia.
16.52.090 Docking horses – Misdemeanor.
16.52.095 Cutting ears – Misdemeanor.
16.52.100 Confinement without food and water – Intervention by others.
16.52.117 Animal fighting – Prohibited behavior – Class C felony – Exceptions.
16.52.165 Punishment – Conviction of misdemeanor.
16.52.190 Poisoning animals – Penalty.
16.52.193 Poisoning animals – Strychnine sales – Records – Report on suspected purchases.
16.52.200 Sentences – Forfeiture of animals – Liability for costs – Civil penalty – Education, counseling.
16.52.205 Animal cruelty in the first degree.
16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the second degree.
16.52.210 Destruction of animal by law enforcement officer – Immunity from liability.
16.52.300 Dogs or cats used as bait – Seizure – Limitation.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.16.040 Chapter 16.54 RCW, entitled “Abandoned Animals” – Adoption by reference.
A. The following RCW sections, as currently enacted or as hereafter amended or recodified from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference and shall be given the same force and effect as if set forth herein in full:
RCW
16.54.010 When deemed abandoned.
16.54.020 Disposition of abandoned animal by person having custody.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to place an animal under circumstances which manifest a willful intent to abandon it, or to abandon an animal by leaving it on the street, road, or highway or in any public place or on private property without the private property owner’s permission. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
6.16.050 Violation – Penalty.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise in an RCW section, any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or up to a $1,000 fine or both. (Ord. 2007-660 § 1)