Title 16, ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK

When the county legislative authority of any county deem[s] it advisable to change the boundary or boundaries of any stock restricted area, a hearing shall be held in the same manner as provided in RCW 16.24.020. If the county legislative authority decides to change the boundary …

At the point where a public road enters a range area, and at such other points thereon within such area as the county legislative authority shall designate, there shall be erected a road sign bearing the words: "RANGE AREA. WATCH OUT FOR LIVESTOCK." [ 1989 c 286 s 8; 1937 c 40 s …

(1) No person owning or in control of any livestock shall willfully or negligently allow such livestock to run at large in any stock restricted area or to wander or stray upon the right-of-way of any public highway lying within a stock restricted area when not in the charge of so…

It shall be unlawful for any person to herd or move any livestock over, along or across the right-of-way of any public highway, or portion thereof, within any stock restricted area, without having in attendance a sufficient number of persons to control the movement of such livest…

Except as provided in chapter 16.24 RCW, a person who owns or has possession, charge, or control of horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep or swine shall not negligently allow them to run at large at any time or within any territory. It shall not be necessary for any person…

In any prosecution under chapter 16.24 RCW proof that the animal running at large is branded with the registered or known brand of the defendant shall be prima facie evidence that the defendant is the owner of said animal. [ 1989 c 286 s 3; 1895 c 124 s 2; RRS s 3086. Formerly RC…

Any horses, mules, donkeys, or cattle of any age running at large or trespassing in violation of chapter 16.24 RCW as now or hereafter amended, which are not restrained as provided by RCW 16.04.010, are declared to be a public nuisance. The sheriff of the county where found and t…

Upon taking possession of any livestock at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or any unclaimed livestock submitted or impounded, by any person, at any public livestock market or any other facility approved by the director, the sheriff or brand inspector shall cause…

The brand inspector shall cause to be published once in a newspaper published in the county where the animal was found, a notice of the impounding. The notice shall state: (1) A description of the animal, including brand, tattoo or other identifying characteristics; (2) When and …

Upon claiming any animal impounded under this chapter, the owner shall pay all costs of transportation, advertising, legal proceedings, and keep of the animal, except as provided under RCW 16.04.100. [ 1994 c 263 s 2; 1989 c 286 s 13; 1951 c 31 s 5. Formerly RCW 16.13.050.] Notes…

If no person shall claim the animal within ten days after the date of publication or posting of the notice, it shall be sold at the next succeeding public livestock market sale to be held at the sales yard where impounded, provided that in the director's discretion the department…

The proceeds of the sale of animals impounded under this chapter, after deducting the costs of sale, shall be impounded in the estray fund of the department of agriculture, and if no valid claim is made within one year from the date of sale, the director of the department of agri…

No law enforcement officer shall, directly or indirectly, purchase any animal sold under the provisions of this chapter, or any interest therein. [ 1951 c 31 s 8. Formerly RCW 16.13.080.]

It shall be lawful for any person having cows or heifers running at large in this state to take up or capture and castrate, at the risk of the owner, at any time between the first day of March and the fifteenth day of May, any bull above the age of ten months found running at lar…

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to turn upon or allow to run at large on any range area in this state any bull other than a registered bull of a recognized beef breed. All persons running cattle in common on any range area may, however, agree…

Before any person, firm, association or corporation turns upon a range area in this state any female cattle of breeding age of more than fifteen in number, they shall procure and turn with said female breeding cattle one registered bull of recognized beef breed for every forty fe…

RCW 16.24.190 and 16.24.200 shall not apply to counties lying west of the summit of the Cascade mountains. [ 1989 c 286 s 17; 1985 c 415 s 19. Formerly RCW 16.20.035.] Notes: Severability—1989 c 286: See note following RCW 16.04.010.

It shall be the duty of any and all persons searching or hunting for stray horses, mules or cattle, to drive the band or herd in which they may find their stray horses, mules or cattle, into the nearest corral before separating their said stray animals from the balance of the her…

No person shall remove any livestock belonging to another from the range on which they are permitted to run at large, without the prior consent of the owner thereof. The owner of any livestock may move his or her own livestock, together with such other livestock as cannot be sepa…