An act relating to animal cruelty. That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5205 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Animal care and control agencies enforce this state's animal cruelty laws.
Animal cruelty is punished according to the severity of the offense.
First degree animal cruelty is punished as a class C felony, while animal cruelty in the second degree is punished as a misdemeanor. Certain animal activities are exempt from the cruelty statutes. Accepted husbandry practices used in commercial livestock or poultry raising and slaughtering, the use of animals in the normal and usual course of rodeo events, and the customary use or exhibiting animals in normal and usual events at fairs are currently exempt. The humane, normal and usual use of horses in racing activities authorized under the laws of Washington and subject to the rules of the Washington Horse Racing Commission is provided an exemption from the cruelty statues. The humane, normal, and usual use of horses, mules and oxen for logging, training, riding, and showing is provided an exemption.