Source: http://pullmanusa.net/pullmanusa/pusalegal.html
Timestamp: 2019-05-22 08:44:41
Document Index: 279357513

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 5', '§ 13', '§ 2265', '§ 6', '§ 15', '§ 2267', '§ 7', '§ 14', '§ 785', '§ 2266', '§ 8', '§ 9', '§ 11', '§ 9', '§ 2156', '§ 2131', '§ 2131', '§ 2131', '§ 113', '§ 14', '§ 2', '§ 10', '§ 11', '§ 12', '§ 13', '§ 48', '§ 2', '§ 1']

State Animal-Related Criminal Codes
State of Washington Criminal Code
with related excerpts from...
City of Pullman City Code
The following summaries are interpretations of the actual federal, city and state criminal code and should not be referenced in legal matters. Excerpts of the precise legal wording of the codes is provided directly below each summary, thus in legal matters, accessing all of the relevant material online is the safest course of action. State code can be found at this link: Revised Code of Washington. Links to federal code are provided where appropriate in the text below. City code can be found at http://www.ci.pullman.wa.us/ where you can click on "City Code" in the menu.
Note that you can be found guilty of violating a specific law more than once (such as in the case of multiple counts of first degree animal cruelty when more than one animal has been abused). You may also be found guilty of violating more than one law (such as in the case of abusing an animal and using it as bait in animal fighting). Note also that for each violation of state criminal code, city ordinance and/or federal law may impose additional fines and/or jail time for each violation - that would most likely be served consecutively. Where a minimum fine and/or imprisonment is set forth, your punishment would be NO LESS THAN the minimum fine or imprisonment.
Classification of Crimes & Punishment
First Degree Animal Cruelty [ felony ]
Second Degree Animal Cruelty [ misdemeanor ]
Abandoned Animals [ misdemeanor ]
Transporting or Confining in Unsafe Manner [ misdemeanor ]
Confinement Without Food and Water [ misdemeanor ]
Animal Fighting [ felony ]
Animal Fighting - Federal Code
Animals Used as Bait [ felony ]
Stealing, Injuring or Killing a Pet [ gross misdemeanor or felony ]
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Research Facility [ gross misdemeanor or felony ]
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Another Person For Sale to a Research Facility [ felony ]
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Research Facility by a USDA Dealer [ felony ]
Illegal Sale, Receipt, or Transfer of Pets
Depiction of Animal Cruelty ( Federal Code )
Unlawful Traps [ gross misdemeanor ]
Sections of Code Referenced Above
Crimes & Punishment, Title 9
Washington Criminal Code, Title 9A RCW
If you are convicted of violating any one or more of the state criminal codes listed in the sections below (or for that matter any of the codes not summarized on this page), you will face the following corresponding punishment, unless a lesser fine and sentence has been set in the specific statute. Per RCW 9A.20.010 and RCW 9A.20.021:
(a) Class "A" Felony - A fine of up to $50,000 and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of up to life imprisonment.
(b) Class "B" Felony - A fine of up to $20,000 and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of up to 10 years imprisonment.
(c) Class "C" Felony - A fine of up to $10,000 and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of up to 5 years imprisonment.
(d) Gross Misdemeanor - A fine of up to $5,000 and/or confinement in a county jail for a term of up to 1 year imprisonment.
(e) Misdemeanor - A fine of up to $1,000 and/or confinement in a county jail for a term of up to 90 days imprisonment.
Whenever the performance of any act is prohibited by any statute, and no classification of that act and/or penalty for the violation of such statute is imposed within the statute, the committing of such act is a Misdemeanor.
Minimum fines and prison setences set forth in several of these statutes are just that... minimums.
Text of State Law:
Penalty assessments in addition to fine or bail forfeiture -- Crime victim and witness programs in county: RCW 7.68.035
Text of State Law: Punishment of a Felony Not Fixed by Statute
[1996 c 44 § 2; 1982 1st ex.s. c 47 § 5; 1909 c 249 § 13; RRS § 2265.]
Classification of crimes: Chapter 9A.20 RCW
Text of State Law: Punishment of a Gross Misdemeanor Not Fixed by Statute
[1982 1st ex.s. c 47 § 6; 1909 c 249 § 15; RRS § 2267.]
Severability -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 47: See note following RCW 9.41.190
Text of State Law: Punishment of a Misdemeanor Not Fixed by Statute
[1982 1st ex.s. c 47 § 7; 1909 c 249 § 14; Code 1881 § 785; RRS § 2266.]
First Degree Animal Cruelty
You are in violation of this state law if you...
(a) purposefully inflict substantial pain on any animal, domesticated or wild
(b) purposefully cause physical injury to any animal
(c) kill an animal by means causing undue suffering, or force a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death
(d) starve, dehydrate or suffocate an animal (domesticated or wild) causing considerable suffering or death
First Degree Animal Cruelty is a Class "C" Felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 5 years imprisonment.
If your actions are not found to amount to first degree animal cruelty then you will be punished under the guidelines for Second Degree Animal Cruelty.
City code, or ordinance (the law of the city) may impose additional fines and/or confinement as noted below.
This statute has been revised by the passage of House Bill 1399, Senate Bill 5532, and most recently House Bill 1304 which will take effect on July 24, 2005:
(2) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized by law, he or she, with criminal negligence, starves, dehydrates, or suffocates an animal and as a result causes: (a) substantial and unjustifiable physical pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering, or (b) death.
(3) Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony.
[1994 c 261 § 8.]
Related Pullman City Code
You are in violation of this law if you...
(a) provoke, mistreat, or abuse any animal while it is confined to it's owner's property.
If found guilty of this Civil Infraction, you can be fined up to $500 in addition to fines and confinement imposed by the state.
Text of City Code (excerpted):
Ordinance 9.20.130 Other Acts Prohibited
Penalties (excerpted):
Ordinacne 9.20.130 Other acts prohibited
Second Degree Animal Cruelty
If your actions are not found to amount to first degree animal cruelty...
(a) knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on any aninal, domesticated or wild
(b) are the owner of an animal and you fail to provide the animal with shelter, rest, sanitation, space, and/or medical attention, and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of your failure
(c) are the owner of an animal and you abandon or "dump" the animal.
Second Degree Animal Cruelty is a Misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or confinement in a county jail for up to 90 days imprisonment.
The inability to provide proper care for an animal due to financial constraints beyond your control may be considered as a defense to your actions or inaction.
(a) Fails to provide the animal with necessary, shelter, rest, sanitation, space, or medical attention and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of the failure; or
[1994 c 261 § 9.]
RCW 16.54.010
An animal is considered abandoned when it is placed in the care of a veterinarian, kennel, or individual for the purpose of treatment, boarding, or care, and the animal is not retrieved by it's owner within 15 days of notice, or at the end of a contracted period of treatment, boarding, or care.
An animal is considered abandoned when it is placed in the care of a veterinarian, kennel, or individual for the purpose of treatment, boarding, or care, and the owner refuses to pay for the treatment, boarding, or care.
Abandoning or "dumping" a domesticated animal, or a wild animal raised and kept in a domesticated environment, is a Misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment in the county jail.
City code, or ordinance (the law of the city) may impose additional fines and/or confinement.
When deemed abandoned
Related Pullman City Code (excerpts)
(a) abandon or "dump" any dog, cat, or other living animal in a yard, field, along a highway or public street, alley, sidewalk, in any city park or playground, or other public place or building, or on, or inside, the privately owned property of another person.
The penalty for violating this law is a fine of up to $500 for each abandoned animal and for each occurrence, in addition to fines and confinement imposed by the state.
Text of City Code:
Penalties (excerpt):
Transporting or Confining in Unsafe Manner
(a) transport or confine any animal(s) in a manner, posture, restraint, lack of restraint or confinement that jeopardizes the safety, health or welfare of the animal(s) and/or jeoparzes the public safety.
Violation of this law is a Misdemeanor, and, per RCW 16.52.165, is punishable by a fine of up to $150 and/or up to 60 days imprisonment in the county jail. You can be arrested and your animal(s) can be immediately seized.
This law may be, and has been, interpreted by law enforcement officers to include the lack of restraint, or improper restraint of animals transported in pickup beds.
Transporting or confining in unsafe manner -- Penalty
Cruelty to stock in transit: RCW 81.56.120
Confinement Without Food and Water
(a) confine any domestic animal in a building, vehicle, cage, fenced yard, or any other place for more than 36 consecutive hours without providing fresh food and water.
Any person who has knowledge that an animal is being confined without food and water, can, without fear of legal retribution, enter the building or place of confinement and provide the needed care, as long as entry is done without the destruction of property. The animal's owner is responsible for repaying the person providing care.
If food and water cannot be provided to the confined animal due to physical constraints, an investigating police officer has the authority to remove the animal(s) from confinement and take it/them into protective custody.
Neglecting a domesticated animal by depriving it of fresh food and/or water is a Misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment in the county jail.
You can additionally be found guilty of one or both of the following offenses (fines and confinement are in addition to fines and confinement set forth in this statute):
RCW 16.52.205 First Degree Animal Cruelty, a Class "C" Felony ($10,000 / 5 years imprisonment)
RCW 16.52.207 Second Degree Animal Cruelty, a Misdemeanor ($1,000 fine / 90 days jail time)
Confinement without food and water -- Intervention by others
(a) own, possess, keep, breed, train, buy, sell, or advertise or offer for sale, any dog or male chicken, with the intent to use that dog or male chicken in a fighting exhibition with another animal.
(b) promote, organize, conduct, participate in, advertise, or perform any service in the furtherance of an exhibition of animal* fighting, transport spectators to an animal fight, or act as a stakeholder for any money wagered.
(c) provide or use any place (structure or land) for animal* fighting, or manage a place used for animal* fighting, or accept money for the use of any place used for animal* fighting.
(d) permit any property under which you have ownership or control to be used for animal* fighting.
(e) take, lead away, possess, confine, sell, transfer, or receive a stray or pet dog or male chicken, with the intent to use or train that animal* for animal* fighting, or as bait in the training of another dog or male chicken for the purpose of animal* fighting.
*The words "animal" or "animals" as used above refer only to dogs and male chickens.
Animal Fighting is a Class "C" Felony under RCW 9A.20.021, and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 5 years imprisonment.
Animal fighting -- Owners, trainers, spectators -- Exceptions
(1) A person commits the crime of animal fighting if the person knowingly does any of the following:
(b) Promotes, organizes, conducts, participates in, advertises, or performs any service in the furtherance of an exhibition of animal fighting, transports spectators to an animal fight, or provides or serves as a stakeholder for any money wagered on an animal fight;
(c) Keeps or uses any place for the purpose of animal fighting, or manages or accepts payment of admission of any place kept or used for the purpose of animal fighting;
(e) Takes, leads away, possesses, confines, sells, transfers, or receives a stray animal or a pet animal for animal fighting, or for training or baiting for the purpose of animal fighting.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "animal" means dogs or male chickens.
[1994 c 261 § 11; 1982 c 114 § 9.]
You are inviolation of this Federal Code if you...
(a) Knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal fight in which fighting animals were transported between states or between a foreign country and the U.S.
(b) Knowingly buy, sell, transport, or deliver to another person, or receive from another person for purposes of transport, any animal which was transported between states or between a foreign country and the U.S. for the purpose of animal fighting.
(c) Knowingly, between one state and another, use the U.S. mail, telephone, telegraph, radio, television, or Internet to promote or facilitate an animal fight to take place within the borders of the U.S.
Federal code regarding fighting live birds only applies in states that specifically prohibit such activities.
Any animal determined to be involved in animal fighting will be seized by law enforcement officials may become the property of the U.S. government.
Law enforcement agencies that may take part in the arrest of violators and seizure of animals includes the FBI, Department of the Treasury, U.S. Marshals, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The penalty for violating this code will be a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or confinement in a federal prison for up to 1 year for each violation. Such fine and imprisonment is in addition to any fine and/or confinement imposed by the state and local jurisdictions (cities and counties), and will be served consecutively.
Text of Federal Code:
7 USCS § 2156 (2000)
(a) Sponsoring or exhibiting animal in any fighting venture. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in any animal fighting venture to which any animal was moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
(b) Buying, selling, delivering, or transporting animals for participation in animal fighting venture. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, buy, transport, or deliver to another person or receive from another person for purposes of transportation, in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal for purposes of having the dog or other animal participate in an animal fighting venture.
(d) Violation of State law. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b), or (c) of this section, the activities prohibited by such subsections shall be unlawful with respect to fighting ventures involving live birds only if the fight is to take place in a State where it would be in violation of the laws thereof.
(e) Penalties. Any person who violates subsection (a), (b), or (c) shall be fined not more than $ 5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, for each such violation.
(6) the conduct by any person of any activity prohibited by this section shall not render such person subject to the other sections of this Act [7 USCS § § 2131 et seq.] as a dealer, exhibitor, or otherwise.
(h) Conflict with state law. [(1)] The provisions of this Act [7 USCS § § 2131 et seq.] shall not supersede or otherwise invalidate any such State, local, or municipal legislation or ordinance relating to animal fighting ventures except in case of a direct and irreconcilable conflict between any requirements thereunder and this Act [7 USCS § § 2131 et seq.] or any rule, regulation, or standard hereunder.
(Effective 1971, amended 1976.)
Animals Used as Bait
You are in violation of this state law if...
(a) you trap a domestic dog or cat with the intent to use that aninal as bait, prey, or in the training of another animal to track, fight, or hunt, and/or...
(b) use a domestic dog or cat as bait, prey, or in the training of another animal to track, fight, or hunt...
Law enforcement officers or animal control officers shall seize and hold the animals. The seized animals shall be disposed of by the court pursuant to the provisions of RCW 16.52.200(3).
Using animals a bait may be charged as first or second degree animal cruelty depending on the circumstances:
RCW 16.52.205 First Degree Animal Cruelty, a Class "C" Felony with punishment of up to $10,000 and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 5 years imprisonment.
RCW 16.52.207 Second Degree Animal Cruelty, a Misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment in the county jail.
Dogs or cats used as bait -- Seizure -- Limitation
Sentences -- Forfeiture of animals -- Liability for costs -- Civil penalty -- Education, counseling
(6) As a condition of the sentence imposed under this chapter or RCW 9.08.070 through 9.08.078, the court may also order the defendant to participate in an available animal cruelty prevention or education program or obtain available psychological counseling to treat mental health problems contributing to the violation's commission. The defendant shall bear the costs of the program or treatment.
[2003 c 53 § 113; 1994 c 261 § 14; 1987 c 335 § 2.]
Construction -- Severability -- 1987 c 335: See notes following RCW 16.52.085.
Stealing, Injuring or Killing a Pet
(a) steal, remove a pet from it's owner's property, confine, or hide any pet animal.
(b) conceal the indentity of any pet animal or it's owner by obscuring , altering, or removing from the pet animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other identifying device or mark, no matter it's value.
(c) willfully or recklessly kill or injure any pet animal, no matter it's value.
If the pet animal's value is $250 or less, the vIolation of this law is a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 but not less than the mandatory fine of $500 per animal, and confinement in a county jail for a term of up to 1 year imprisonment.
*If the pet animal's value is at least $250.99, but not more than $1,500, violation of this law is a Class "C" Felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 per animal and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of up to 5 years imprisonment.
*If the pet animal's value is at least $1,500.99, violation of this law is a Class "B" Felony punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 per animal and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of up to 10 years imprisonment.
You can additionally be found guilty of one or more of the following offenses (fines and confinement are in addition to fines and confinement set forth in this statute):
RCW 9A.56.150 First Degree Possession of Stolen Property, a Class "B" Felony ($20,000 fine / 10 years imprisonment)
RCW 9A.56.160 Second Degree Possession of Stolen Property is a Class "C" Felony ($10,000 fine / 5 years imprisonment)
RCW 9A.56.170 Third Degree Possession of Stolen Property is a Gross Misdemeanor ($5,000 fine / 1 year jail time)
Pet animals -- Taking, concealing, injuring, killing, etc. -- Penalty
Summary (excerpted):
(a) open any door or gate on any privately owned property, and/or unleash or coax away any animal so that it leaves it's containment and is free to run at-large.
(b) provoke any dog or other animal while it is confined to it's owner's property.
(c) mistreat or abuse any dog or other animal while it is confined to it's owner's property.
(d) set a "leg-hold type" or "noose type" trap to catch a dog or other animal.
The penalty for violating this law is a fine of up to $500 for each animal and each occurrence, in addition to fines and confinement imposed by the state.
Text of Law (excerpted):
Text of Law: Penalties (excerpt):
RCW 9.08.072
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Research Facility
(a) receive a pet animal that you know, or have reason to believe, has been stolen or fraudulently obtained, with the intent to sell, or transfer, to a research institution.
The first conviction under this section is a Gross Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, but not less than $500, and/or confinement in a county jail for up to 1 year imprisonment.
The second conviction under this section is a Class "C" Felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, but not less than $1,000, and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 5 years imprisonment.
Whether or not you are found guilty of this offense, you can also be found guilty of other offenses including animal cruelty, theft and robbery, and possession of stolen property:
RCW 9A.56.030 First Degree Theft, a Class "B" Felony ($20,000 fine / 10 years imprisonment)
RCW 9A.56.040 Second Degree Theft, a Class "C" Felony ($10,000 fine / 5 years imprisonment)
RCW 9A.56.050 Third Degree Theft, a Gross Misdemeanor ($5,000 fine / 1 year jail time)
RCW 9A.56.160 Second Degree Possession of Stolen Property, a Class "C" Felony ($10,000 fine / 5 years imprisonment)
RCW 9A.56.170 Third Degree Possession of Stolen Property, a Gross Misdemeanor ($5,000 fine / 1 year jail time)
Transferring stolen pet animal to a research institution -- Penalty
(2) The first conviction under this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW and by a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars per pet animal.
(3) A second or subsequent conviction under this section is a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW and by a mandatory fine of not less than one thousand dollars per pet animal.
[2003 c 53 § 10.]
Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180
RCW 9.08.074
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Another Person For Sale to a Research Facility
(a) sell or otherwise transfer a pet animal that you know, or have reason to believe, has been stolen or fraudulently obtained, to any person who you know, or have reason to believe, has sold stolen pets to research facilities in the past.
Violation of this law is a Class "C" Felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, but not less than $1,000, and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 5 years imprisonment.
Transferring stolen pet animal to a person who has previously sold a stolen pet animal to a research institution -- Penalty
[2003 c 53 § 11.]
RCW 9.08.076
Selling or Transferring a Stolen Pet to a Research Facility by a USDA Dealer
(a) are a licensed USDA dealer, and you sell or otherwise transfer to a research facility, either directly or through a third-party, any pet that you know, or have reason to believe, has been stolen or fraudulently obtained.
Transferring stolen pet animal to a research institution by a U.S.D.A. licensed dealer -- Penalty
[2003 c 53 § 12.]
View Text of Federal Code Regarding the Sale or Transfer of a Stolen Pet by a USDA Dealer
RCW 9.08.078
The sale, receipt, or transfer of each stolen pet is a separate offense.
The provisions of RCW 9.08.070 do not apply to employees or agents of any humane society, animal control agency, or animal shelter operated by a government agency, or empowered by a government agency or court.
Illegal sale, receipt, or transfer of pet animals -- Separate offenses
[2003 c 53 § 13.]
(a) photograph, film, video-tape, digitally record, or make an audio recording of any living animal intentionally being maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, injured, or killed.
(b) sell or distribute any photograph, film, video-tape, digital image, computer file, or audio recording of any living animal intentionally being maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, injured, or killed.
(c) possess any photograph, film, video-tape, digital image, computer file, or audio recording of any living animal intentionally being maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, injured, or killed.
The penalty for violating this law is an unspecified fine, and imprisonment for not more than 5 years in a federal prison, in addition to fines and confinement imposed by the state.
18 USCS § 48 (2001)
(c) Definitions. In this section--
Unlawful traps -- Penalty
(1) Use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap, neck snare, or other body-gripping trap to capture any mammal for recreation or fur commerce.
(2) Knowingly buy, sell, barter, or otherwise exchange, or offer to buy, sell, barter, or otherwise exchange the raw fur of a mammal, or a mammal (dead or alive) that has been trapped in a steel-jawed leghold trap, or any other body-gripping trap.
(3) Use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided otherwise by this law.
Use of Conibear traps in water, padded leghold traps, or nonstrangling type foot snares can be used with special permit. Illegal traps, as referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, can be used with special permit, and in special circumstances, as granted by wildlife officials (refer to text of state law below).
Violation of this law is a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, and/or confinement in a state correctional institution for up to 1 year imprisonment.
(c) Nothing in this section prohibits the director from granting a special permit to department employees or agents to use traps listed in this subsection where the use of the traps is the only practical means of protecting threatened or endangered species as designated under RCW 77.08.010 .
((6) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
The below "Definitions" text has been edited to include only terms used in the codes quoted on this page:
Definitions -- Principles of liability
(1) Principles of liability as defined in chapter 9A.08 RCW apply to this chapter. (2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (a) "Animal" means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian. (b) "Animal care and control agency" means any city or county animal control agency or authority authorized to enforce city or county municipal ordinances regulating the care, control, licensing, or treatment of animals within the city or county, and any corporation organized under RCW 16.52.020 that contracts with a city or county to enforce the city or county ordinances governing animal care and control. (c) "Animal control officer" means any individual employed, contracted, or appointed pursuant to RCW 16.52.025 by an animal care and control agency or humane society to aid in the enforcement of ordinances or laws regulating the care and control of animals. For purposes of this chapter, the term "animal control officer" shall be interpreted to include "humane officer" as defined in (e) of this subsection and RCW 16.52.025. (d) "Euthanasia" means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death, or by a method that causes painless loss of consciousness, and death during the loss of consciousness. (e) "Humane officer" means any individual employed, contracted, or appointed by an animal care and control agency or humane society as authorized under RCW 16.52.025. (f) "Law enforcement agency" means a general authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020. (g) "Necessary food" means the provision at suitable intervals of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the animal's age and species and sufficient to provide a reasonable level of nutrition for the animal. (h) "Owner" means a person who has a right, claim, title, legal share, or right of possession to an animal or a person having lawful control, custody, or possession of an animal. (i) "Person" means individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, or other legal entities, and agents of those entities. (j) "Substantial bodily harm" means substantial bodily harm as defined in RCW 9A.04.110.
[1994 c 261 § 2.]
Finding -- Intent -- 1994 c 261: "The legislature finds there is a need to modernize the law on animal cruelty to more appropriately address the nature of the offense. It is not the intent of this act to remove or decrease any of the exemptions from the statutes on animal cruelty that now apply to customary animal husbandry practices, state game or fish laws, rodeos, fairs under chapter 15.76 RCW, or medical research otherwise authorized under federal or state law. It is the intent of this act to require the enforcement of chapter 16.52 RCW by persons who are accountable to elected officials at the local and state level." [1994 c 261 § 1.]
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