SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6231
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, JANUARY 31, 1994
Brief Description: Permitting killing life‑threatening animals.
SPONSORS: Senators Hargrove, Owen, M. Rasmussen and Morton
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6231 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Sellar, L. Smith and Spanel.
Staff: Ross Antipa (786‑7413)
Hearing Dates: January 28, 1994; January 31, 1994
BACKGROUND:
There is currently no statutory authority which allows a person to kill an animal which poses an imminent threat to human life.
SUMMARY:
A person may kill an animal that is or is reasonably perceived to be an imminent threat to life.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
A person may kill a bear or cougar that is reasonably perceived to be an unavoidable and immediate threat to human life.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Recent cases of human injury due to cougar and bear attacks support passage of the legislation.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: PRO: Louie Muller, LCFFA; Anthony de la Torre, WA Dept. of Wildlife; Brandt Castleton