Subject of Possible Rule Making: Based on the mandate provided by the legislature during the 2018 session, the Washington department of fish and wildlife will work to provide rule to administer a training program that provides dog training opportunities, for selected people, using nonlethal pursuit.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency frequently calls upon dog handlers to assist during public safety incidents or property depredation from dangerous wildlife. In these cases, the handlers are acting in the capacity of agents of the state; however, opportunity for handlers to keep dogs trained to be prepared in between calls for service has not been an option in Washington state. This rule making will help to ensure that working dogs are available during these calls for service and that the dogs used are trained for quick and skilled action. This program will be monitored and administered through the enforcement program. A limited number of individuals will be selected and approved through extensive background checks and agency requirements.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Becky Bennett, Community Outreach Liaison, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-701-7026, fax 360-902-2155, email becky.bennett@dfw.wa.gov, web site wdfw.com/wdfwpolice.