 Barked: Mon Sep 29, '08 6:35pm PST | |
 | |  | | Mom witnessed some animal abuse today. She did some research on the laws in WA and wanted to pass it on.
The ASPCA considers someone intentionally injuring or harming an animal, including striking, is considered abuse. What about the law? Here are Washington State’s two main laws about animal cruelty:
Animals, Estrays, Brands & Fences Prevention of Cruelty) 16.52.205 Animal cruelty in first degree 1994
Summary: Prohibits intentionally inflicting substantial pain, causing physical injury or killing an animal by means causing undue suffering or forcing a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury or death on an animal.
Penalty: Class C Felony, maximum five yrs confinement and/or maximum $10,000 fine. (16.52.200) Court also must order forfeiture if one of the animals involved in violation dies or if there were prior convictions. Court may order forfeiture if the treatment is severe or likely to reoccur. If forfeiture ordered, owner must be prohibited from owning or caring for similar animals for two years. Convicted offender will be liable for reasonable expenses including investigation and animal's care, euthanasia or adoption. Also $1,000 civil fine to county to prevent animal cruelty. Also participation in cruelty prevention program or psych. treatment may be ordered at offender's expense.
(Animals, Estrays, Brands & Fences Prevention of Cruelty) 16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the second degree 1994
Summary: Prohibits knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, in circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal. Prohibits an owner who knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence from: failing to provide animal with necessary food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, ventilation, space or medical attention and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result abandoning the animal.
Exception: If the failure was due to economic distress beyond his/her control.
Penalty: Misdemeanor (9.92.030) maximum 90 days confinement and/or maximum $1,000 fine. (16.52.200) Court also must order forfeiture if one of the animals involved in violation dies or if there were prior convictions. Court may order forfeiture if the treatment is severe or likely to reoccur. If forfeiture ordered, owner must be prohibited from owning or caring for similar animals for two years. Convicted offender will be liable for reasonable expenses including investigation and animal's care, euthanasia or adoption. Also $1,000 civil fine to county to prevent animal cruelty. Also participation in cruelty prevention program or psych. treatment may be ordered at offender's expense.
Thank you for reading this. Keep your eyes and ears open for abuse and report it when you see it. Evidence is always best, but when in doubt, still report because someone else may have already reported and there could be a pattern developing. Visit aspca.org for specific phone numbers of people to call to report abuse. |  |  | |  |
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