BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the display of wild and exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement; 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:

(1) The legislature finds that exotic and wild animals used for entertainment and amusement pose public safety hazards, as evidenced by attacks and rampages, which injure or kill both staff and bystanders. Conditions for such animal acts generally deprive the animals of social, physical, and behavioral requirements inherent to their species. Inadequate care and abusive training methods are often documented. Additionally, exotic animal acts present a distorted image of wildlife to the public, disallowing any natural behaviors because of the confinement and training.

The purpose of this section is to prohibit traveling displays in Washington state, with exemptions for facilities accredited by the American zoo and aquarium association and the association of sanctuaries, for the filming of movies, and for all domestic animal events and institutions.

(2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a) "Display" includes, but is not limited to, the undertaking of any exhibition, act, circus, ride, carnival, parade, race, photographic opportunity, or similar undertaking in which animals are required to perform tricks, fight, or participate as accompaniments in performances for the amusement or benefit for an audience.

(b) "Wild or exotic animal" means any or all of the following orders and families, whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and also any or all of their hybrids with domestic species:

(i) Nonhuman primates and prosimians (chimpanzees, monkeys);

(ii) Felidae, except domesticated cats;

(iii) Canidae, except domesticated dogs;

(iv) Ursidae (all bears);

(v) Proboscidae (elephants);

(vi) Cetacea (whales, dolphins, porpoises);

(vii) Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles);

(viii) Marsupialia (kangaroos, opossums);

(ix) Reptilia (snakes) over eight feet in length and snakes and reptiles of venomous variety;

(x) Perissodactyla (hippopotamuses);

(xi) Hyaenidae;

(xii) Mustelidae (skunks, weasels, otters, badgers);

(xiii) Procyonidae (raccoons, coatis);

(xiv) Endentata (anteaters, sloth, armadillos); and

(xv) Viverridae (mongoose, civets, genets).

(i) Domesticated dogs;

(ii) Domesticated cats;

(iii) Domesticated ungulates (horses, mules, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, and cattle) or any domestic animal designated by rule under the livestock protection act;

(iv) Domestic llamas and alpacas;

(v) Birds; and

(vi) Ferrets.

(d) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, organization, trade or professional association, joint venture, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity and any officer, member, shareholder, director, employee, agent, or representative of same.

(3) No person may display or sponsor a display of wild or exotic animals within the state of Washington.

(4) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

(5) The provisions of this section do not apply to the display of wild or exotic animals:

(a) At institutions accredited by the American zoo and aquarium association;

(b) At institutions accredited by the association of sanctuaries;

(c) On the premises of a television or movie studio setting where such animals are being kept temporarily for the purposes of film production; and

(d) At nonaccredited permanent facilities in existence before January 1, 2000, that do not transport animals other than for veterinary care.