H-1080.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1443

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representative Barlean

Read first time 01/25/1999.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

Changing civil penalties in an action for the killing of a domestic animal.

    AN ACT Relating to killing a domestic animal; adding a new section to chapter 16.52 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 16.52 RCW to read as follows:

    In any civil action for the killing of a domestic animal, a successful plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs.  In addition, the court may impose on any liable party a civil penalty of no more than twenty-five hundred dollars to be paid to the plaintiff.

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