H-3262.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2481

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Carrell, Haigh, DeBolt, Talcott, Mielke, Jarrett, Anderson, Cox, Campbell, Roach, Grant, Kirby, Bush, Boldt, Sump, Orcutt and Dunn

Read first time 01/18/2002.  Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

Using animals for fighting.

    AN ACT Relating to using animals for fighting; amending RCW 16.52.117; and prescribing penalties.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 16.52.117 and 1994 c 261 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any person who does any of the following is guilty of a ((gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars, or by both fine and imprisonment)) class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021:

    (a) Owns, possesses, keeps, sells, or trains any animal with the intent that the animal shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another animal;

    (b) For amusement or gain causes any animal to fight with another animal, or causes any animals to injure each other; or

    (c) Permits any act in violation of (a) or (b) of this subsection to be done on any premises under his or her charge or control, or promotes or aids or abets any such act.

    (2) Any person who is knowingly present, as a spectator, at any place or building where preparations are being made for an exhibition of the fighting of animals, with the intent to be present at such preparations, or is knowingly present at such exhibition or at any other fighting or injuring as described in subsection (1)(b) of this section, with the intent to be present at such exhibition, fighting, or injuring, is guilty of a ((misdemeanor)) class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.

    (3) Nothing in this section may prohibit the following:

    (a) The use of dogs in the management of livestock, as defined by chapter 16.57 RCW, by the owner of the livestock or the owner's employees or agents or other persons in lawful custody of the livestock;

    (b) The use of dogs in hunting as permitted by law; or

    (c) The training of animals or the use of equipment in the training of animals for any purpose not prohibited by law.

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