Title 16 — Title 16 ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK
20 chapters · 350 sections in this title.
RCW 16.49.095 Denial, suspension, revocation of license—Grounds—Request for hearing.
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(1) The director may deny, suspend, or revoke any license required under this chapter if the director determines that an applicant or licensee has committed any of the following acts:(a) Refused, neglected, or failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the rules adopte…
RCW 16.49.105 Noncompliance with chapter or rules—Civil penalty.
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Any person who fails to comply with this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of not more than one thousand dollars per violation per day. Each violation is a separate and distinct offense.All moneys collected for civil pe…
RCW 16.49.115 Application of administrative procedure act.
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Chapter 34.05 RCW governs the rights, remedies, and procedures respecting the administration of this chapter, including rule making, assessment of civil penalties, emergency actions, and license suspension, revocation, or denial.[ 2000 c 99 s 12.]
RCW 16.49.125 Custom meat facilities—Sale of inspected meat—Ordinances may be more restrictive.
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The provisions of this chapter relating to the sale of inspected meat in custom meat facilities do not supersede or restrict the authority of any county or any city to adopt ordinances that are more restrictive for the handling and sale of inspected meat than those provided in th…
RCW 16.50.100 Declaration of policy.
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The legislature of the state of Washington finds that the use of humane methods in the slaughter of livestock prevents needless suffering; results in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the slaughtering industry; brings about improvement of products and eco…
RCW 16.50.110 Definitions.
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For the purpose of this chapter:(1) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.(2) "Director" means the director of the department or his or her duly appointed representative.(3) "Humane method" means either: (a) A method whereby the animal is ren…
RCW 16.50.120 Humane methods for bleeding or slaughtering livestock required.
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No slaughterer or packer shall bleed or slaughter any livestock except by a humane method: PROVIDED, That the director may, by administrative order, exempt a person from compliance with this chapter for a period of not to exceed six months if he or she finds that an earlier compl…
RCW 16.50.130 Administration of chapter—Rules.
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The director shall administer the provisions of this chapter. He or she shall adopt and may from time to time revise rules which shall conform substantially to the rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of agriculture of the United States pursuant to the federal human…
RCW 16.50.140 Manually operated hammer, sledge or poleaxe—Declared inhumane.
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The use of a manually operated hammer, sledge or poleaxe is declared to be an inhumane method of slaughter within the meaning of this chapter.[ 1967 c 31 s 5.]
RCW 16.50.150 Religious freedom—Ritual slaughter defined as humane.
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Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit, abridge, or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, ritual slaughter and the handling or other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter is de…
RCW 16.50.160 Injunctions against violations.
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The director may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter in the superior court in the county in which such violation occurs or is about to occur, notwithstanding the existence of…
RCW 16.50.170 Penalty for violations.
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Any person violating any provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted hereunder is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars or confinement in the county jail for not more than ninety days.[ 1967 c 31 s 7.]
RCW 16.52.011 Definitions—Principles of liability.
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(1) Principles of liability as defined in chapter 9A.08 RCW apply to this chapter.(2) The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(a) "Abandons" means the knowing or reckless desertion of an animal by its owner, or b…
RCW 16.52.015 Enforcement—Law enforcement agencies and animal care and control agencies.
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(1) Law enforcement agencies and animal care and control agencies may enforce the provisions of this chapter. Animal care and control agencies may enforce the provisions of this chapter in a county or city only if the county or city legislative authority has entered into a contra…
RCW 16.52.020 Humane societies—Enforcement authority.
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Any citizens of the state of Washington incorporated under the laws of this state as a humane society or as a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals may enforce the provisions of this chapter through its animal control officers subject to the limitations in RCW 16.52.01…
RCW 16.52.025 Humane societies—Animal control officers.
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Trustees of humane societies incorporated pursuant to RCW 16.52.020 may appoint society members to act as animal control officers. The trustee appointments shall be in writing. The appointment shall be effective in a particular county only if an appointee obtains written authoriz…
RCW 16.52.080 Transporting or confining in unsafe manner—Penalty.
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Any person who wilfully transports or confines or causes to be transported or confined any domestic animal or animals in a manner, posture or confinement that will jeopardize the safety of the animal or the public shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. And whenever any such person sha…
RCW 16.52.085 Seizure of animal for abuse or neglect—Process—Notice—Forfeiture of animal—Petition for a civil hearing for the immediate return of a seized animal.
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(1) For the purposes of this section:(a) "Minimum care" means care sufficient to preserve the physical and mental health and well-being of an animal and includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements:(i) Food of sufficient nutrition, quantity, and quality to allow fo…
RCW 16.52.090 Docking horses—Misdemeanor.
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Every person who shall cut or cause to be cut, or assist in cutting the solid part of the tail of any horse in the operation known as "docking," or in any other operation for the purpose of shortening the tail or changing the carriage thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.[ 1…
RCW 16.52.095 Certain veterinary procedures—Misdemeanor.
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(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is a misdemeanor:(a) For any person to cut off more than one-half of the ear or ears of any domestic animal such as an ox, cow, bull, calf, sheep, goat, or hog; or(b) For any person to:(i) Devocalize a dog;(ii) Crop or …
RCW 16.52.100 Confinement without food and water—Intervention by others.
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(1) If any domestic animal is impounded or confined without necessary food and water for more than 24 consecutive hours, any person may, from time to time, as is necessary, enter into and open any pound or place of confinement in which any domestic animal is confined, and supply …
RCW 16.52.117 Animal fighting—Prohibited behavior—Penalty—Exceptions.
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(1) A person commits the crime of animal fighting if the person knowingly does any of the following, causes a minor to do any of the following, or aids or abets any of the following:(a) Owns, possesses, keeps, breeds, trains, buys, sells, or advertises or offers for sale any anim…
RCW 16.52.180 Limitations on application of chapter.
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No part of this chapter shall be deemed to interfere with any of the laws of this state known as the "game laws," nor be deemed to interfere with the right to destroy any venomous reptile or any known as dangerous to life, limb or property, or to interfere with the right to kill …
RCW 16.52.185 Exclusions from chapter.
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Nothing in this chapter applies to accepted husbandry practices used in the commercial raising or slaughtering of livestock or poultry, or products thereof or to the use of animals in the normal and usual course of rodeo events or to the customary use or exhibiting of animals in …
RCW 16.52.190 Poisoning animals—Penalty.
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(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of poisoning animals if the person intentionally or knowingly poisons an animal under circumstances which do not constitute animal cruelty in the first degree.(2) Subsection (1) of …
RCW 16.52.193 Poisoning animals—Strychnine sales—Records—Report on suspected purchases.
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(1) It is unlawful for any person other than a registered pharmacist to sell at retail or furnish to any person any strychnine: PROVIDED, That nothing herein prohibits county, state, or federal agents, in the course of their duties, from furnishing strychnine to any person. Every…
RCW 16.52.200 Sentences—Forfeiture of animals—Liability for costs—Penalty—Education, counseling.
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(1) The sentence imposed for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor violation of this chapter may be deferred or suspended in accordance with RCW 3.66.067 and 3.66.068, however the probationary period shall be two years.(2) In case of multiple misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor convict…
RCW 16.52.205 Animal cruelty in the first degree.
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(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering or while manifesting an extreme indif…
RCW 16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the second degree—Penalty.
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(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty:(a) The person knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal;(b) The person takes control,…
RCW 16.52.210 Destruction of animal by law enforcement officer—Immunity from liability.
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This chapter shall not limit the right of a law enforcement officer to destroy an animal that has been seriously injured and would otherwise continue to suffer. Such action shall be undertaken with reasonable prudence and, whenever possible, in consultation with a licensed veteri…
RCW 16.52.220 Transfers of mammals for research—Certification requirements—Pet animals.
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(1) All transfers of mammals, other than rats and mice bred for use in research and livestock, to research institutions in this state, whether by sale or otherwise, shall conform with federal laws and, except as to those animals obtained from a source outside the United States, s…
RCW 16.52.225 Nonambulatory livestock—Transporting or accepting delivery—Gross misdemeanor—Definition.
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(1) Unless otherwise cited for a civil infraction by the department of agriculture under RCW 16.36.116(2), a person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided in RCW 9A.20.021 if he or she knowingly transports or accepts delivery of live nonambulatory livestock to, f…
RCW 16.52.230 Remedies not impaired.
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No provision of RCW 9.08.070 through 9.08.078 or 16.52.220 shall in any way interfere with or impair the operation of any other provision of this chapter or Title 28B RCW, relating to higher education or biomedical research. The provisions of RCW 9.08.070 through 9.08.078 and 16.…
RCW 16.52.300 Dogs or cats used as bait—Seizure—Limitation.
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(1) If any person commits the crime of animal cruelty in the first or second degree by using or trapping to use domestic dogs or cats as bait, prey, or targets for the purpose of training dogs or other animals to track, fight, or hunt, law enforcement officers or animal control o…
RCW 16.52.305 Unlawful use of hook—Gross misdemeanor.
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(1) A person is guilty of the unlawful use of a hook if the person utilizes, or attempts to use, a hook with the intent to pierce the flesh or mouth of a bird or mammal.(2) Unlawful use of a hook is a gross misdemeanor.[ 2004 c 220 s 1.]Notes:Effective date—2004 c 220: "This act …
RCW 16.52.310 Dog breeding—Limit on the number of dogs—Required conditions—Penalty—Definitions.
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(1) A person may not own, possess, control, or otherwise have charge or custody of more than 50 dogs with intact sexual organs over the age of six months at any time.(2) Any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than 10 dogs with intact …
RCW 16.52.320 Maliciously killing or causing substantial bodily harm to livestock belonging to another—Penalty.
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(1) It is unlawful for a person to, with malice, kill or cause substantial bodily harm to livestock belonging to another person.(2) A violation of this section constitutes a class C felony.[ 2015 c 235 s 4; 2011 c 67 s 1.]
RCW 16.52.330 Veterinarians—Animal cruelty—Liability immunity.
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A veterinarian lawfully licensed in this state to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry who reports, in good faith and in the normal course of business, a suspected incident of animal cruelty that is punishable under this chapter to the proper authorities is immune…
RCW 16.52.340 Leave or confine any animal in unattended motor vehicle or enclosed space—Class 2 civil infraction—Officers' authority to reasonably remove animal.
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(1) It is a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 to leave or confine any animal unattended in a motor vehicle or enclosed space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of necessary water.(2) To protect the h…
RCW 16.52.350 Dog tethering—Penalties.
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(1) Any dog that is restrained outside by a tether must only be restrained for a period of time that is not reckless and in compliance with this section.(a) The dog shall not be tethered in a manner that results, or could reasonably result, in the dog becoming frequently entangle…
RCW 16.52.360 Retail pet store—Sale of dog or cat—Penalty.
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(1) Except as provided in this section, a retail pet store may not sell or offer for sale any dog or cat.(2) A retail pet store that sold or offered for sale any dog prior to July 25, 2021, may sell or offer for sale a dog only if the retail pet store meets the following requirem…
RCW 16.54.010 When deemed abandoned.
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An animal is deemed to be abandoned under the provisions of this chapter when it is placed in the custody of a veterinarian, boarding kennel owner, or any person for treatment, board, or care and:(1) Having been placed in such custody for an unspecified period of time the animal …
RCW 16.54.020 Disposition of abandoned animal by person having custody.
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Any person having in his or her care, custody, or control any abandoned animal as defined in RCW 16.54.010, may deliver such animal to any animal care and control agency as defined in RCW 16.52.011 or to an animal rescue group as defined in RCW 82.04.040 having the facilities and…
RCW 16.54.030 Duty of sheriff—Sale—Disposition of proceeds.
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It shall be the duty of the sheriff of such county upon being so notified, to dispose of such animal as provided by law in reference to estrays if such law is applicable to the animal abandoned, or if not so applicable then deliver such an animal to any animal care and control ag…
RCW 16.57.010 Definitions.
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Brand" means a permanent fire brand or any artificial mark, other than an individual identification symbol, approved by the director to be used in conjunction with a b…
RCW 16.57.015 Livestock identification advisory committee—Rule review—Fee setting.
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(1) The director shall establish a livestock identification advisory committee. The committee shall be composed of 12 voting members appointed by the director as follows: Two beef producers, two cattle feeders, two dairy producers, two livestock market owners, two meat processors…
RCW 16.57.020 Livestock brands—Director is the recorder—Recording fee.
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The director shall be the recorder of livestock brands and such brands shall not be recorded elsewhere in this state. Any person desiring to record a livestock brand shall apply on a form prescribed by the director. The application shall be accompanied by a facsimile of the brand…
RCW 16.57.023 Permanent renewal of brands—Heritage brands—Fees.
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The director may adopt rules establishing criteria and fees for the permanent renewal of brands registered with the department but renewed as livestock heritage brands. Such heritage brands are not intended for use on livestock.[ 2003 c 326 s 5; 1998 c 263 s 5.]
RCW 16.57.025 Livestock inspection—Licensed and accredited veterinarians—Field livestock inspectors—Fees—Revocation of certification.
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(1) The director may enter into agreements with Washington state licensed and accredited veterinarians, who have been certified by the director, to perform livestock inspection.(2) The department must maintain a list of field livestock inspectors who are certified to perform live…
RCW 16.57.030 Tattoo brands and marks not recordable.
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The director shall not record tattoo brands or marks for any purpose.[ 2003 c 326 s 7; 1959 c 54 s 3.]