Vetoed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends animal cruelty regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from leaving an 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 water (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of the above provision as a class 2 civil infraction (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an animal control officer or law enforcement officer to enter a vehicle or enclosed space to remove an animal that he or she believes is suffering harm (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the animal control or law enforcement officer is not liable for property damage resulting from actions taken to remove the animal (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an individual from causing a minor to engage in an animal fighting exhibition (Sec. 3).

• Expands the prohibition on animal fighting to include all animals (Sec. 3).

• Requires an individual who takes and conceals a pet valued less than $750 to be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined a minimum of $500 (Sec. 5).

• Expands the classification of animal cruelty in the first degree to include the act of killing or harming an animal while manifesting an “extreme indifference to life” (Sec. 6).

• Exempts noncommercial livestock or poultry from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text