S‑0610.1 _____________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5729
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senators Thibaudeau, Patterson, Fairley, Winsley, Kohl‑Welles, Jacobsen, Haugen, Prentice, Costa, Regala, Kline, Carlson and Rasmussen
Read first time 02/01/2001. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines.
_1 AN ACT Relating to the private possession of dangerous wild
_2 animals; adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW; and prescribing
_3 penalties.
_4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
_5 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the state of
_6 Washington to protect the public against the health and safety
_7 risks that dangerous wild animals pose to the community and to
_8 protect the welfare of individual animals held in private
_9 possession. By their very nature, these animals are wild and
10 inherently dangerous and, as such, do not adjust well to a captive
11 environment.
12 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply
13 throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires
14 otherwise.
15 (1) "Animal control authority" means an entity acting alone or
16 in concert with other local governmental units for enforcement of
17 the animal control laws of the city, county, and state, and the
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_1 shelter and welfare of animals. "Animal control authority"
_2 includes, but is not limited to the following individuals: Animal
_3 control officers, local law enforcement agents, and county
_4 sheriffs.
_5 (2) "Animal control officer" means an individual employed,
_6 contracted with, or appointed by the animal control authority for
_7 the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of this chapter or any
_8 law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals, control of
_9 animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals. "Animal control
10 officer" includes any state or local law enforcement officer, or
11 other employee whose duties in whole or in part include
12 assignments that involve the seizure and impoundment of any
13 animal.
14 (3) "Department" means the department of fish and wildlife.
15 (4) "Dangerous wild animal" means those species of animals that
16 are inherently dangerous to humans. "Dangerous wild animals"
17 include the following classes, orders, and families, whether bred
18 in the wild or in captivity:
19 (a) Class Mammalia:
20 (i) Order Carnivora:
21 (A) Family Felidae, except domesticated cats and hybrids;
22 (B) Family Canidae, only wolves, not wolf-hybrids;
23 (C) Family Ursidae; and
24 (ii) Order Primates; and
25 (b) Class Reptilia:
26 (i) Order Squamata:
27 (A) Family Boidae, only African rock pythons, amethystine
28 pythons, boelen's pythons, burmese pythons, Indian pythons, olive
29 pythons, reticulated pythons, yellow anacondas, green anacondas,
30 and Jamaican boas;
31 (B) Family Colubridae, only boomslangs, mangrove snakes,
32 African twig snakes, and brown tree snakes;
33 (C) Family Elapidae;
34 (D) Family Helodermatidae;
35 (E) Family Lacertilia, only Salvator monitors and Salvadoran
36 monitors; and
37 (F) Family Viperidae; and
38 (ii) Order Crocodilia.
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_1 "Dangerous wild animal" may include species not listed if they
_2 are declared dangerous wild animals by the department, in
_3 cooperation with the animal control authority, if the confinement
_4 of the animal within the state can be shown to constitute a threat
_5 to public health and safety.
_6 (5) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation,
_7 organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited
_8 liability company, joint venture, association, trust, estate, or
_9 any other legal entity, and any officer, member, shareholder,
10 director, employee, agent, or representative thereof.
11 (6) "Wildlife sanctuary" means a nonprofit organization
12 described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the internal revenue code
13 of 1986, that operates a place of refuge where abused, neglected,
14 unwanted, impounded, abandoned, orphaned, or displaced dangerous
15 wild animals are provided care for their lifetime or released back
16 to their natural habitat and, with respect to any animal owned by
17 the organization, does not:
18 (a) Conduct any activity that is not inherent to the animal's
19 nature;
20 (b) Use the animal for any type of entertainment;
21 (c) Sell, trade, or barter the animal or the animal's body
22 parts; or
23 (d) Breed the animal for purposes of sale.
24 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) It is unlawful for any person to own,
25 possess, keep, harbor, bring, or have in one's possession a
26 dangerous wild animal, except in compliance with this chapter.
27 (2) It is unlawful for the owner or any other person in control
28 of a lot, tract, or parcel of land or any residence or business
29 premises situated thereon to knowingly permit any other person to
30 be in possession of a dangerous wild animal upon the property,
31 residence, or premises, except in compliance with this chapter.
32 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This chapter shall not apply to:
33 (1) Institutions accredited by the American zoo and aquarium
34 association.
35 (2) Licensed humane societies;
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_1 (3) Animal control officers or law enforcement officers acting
_2 under the authority of this chapter;
_3 (4) Licensed veterinary hospitals or clinics;
_4 (5) Any wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the state, under RCW
_5 77.12.040 and WAC 232-12-275;
_6 (6) Any wildlife sanctuary;
_7 (7) Any licensed or accredited research or medical institution;
_8 (8) Any licensed or accredited educational institution;
_9 (9) Any circus, rodeo, or trade show;
10 (10) A person temporarily transporting a dangerous wild animal
11 through the state if the transit time is not more than ninety-six
12 hours and the animal is at all times maintained within a
13 confinement sufficient to prevent the dangerous wild animal from
14 escaping.
15 NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) A person may possess a dangerous wild
16 animal if: The person was in legal possession of the dangerous wild
17 animal before the effective date of this act; the person is the
18 legal owner of the dangerous wild animal; and the person applies
19 for and is granted a personal possession permit for the dangerous
20 wild animal in their possession within ninety days after the
21 effective date of this act. The permit is valid in any local unit
22 in which the possession of a dangerous wild animal is not
23 prohibited by local law. Persons who meet the requirements in this
24 subsection shall annually obtain a personal possession permit.
25 (2) After the effective date of this act, no new dangerous wild
26 animal shall be brought into possession under authority of a
27 personal possession permit.
28 (3) An applicant shall file an application to receive a
29 personal possession permit with the animal control authority on a
30 form provided by the animal control authority. The application
31 shall include the following:
32 (a) A nonrefundable permit fee. The amount of the annual permit
33 fee shall be established by the animal control authority;
34 (b) A written statement completed by the owner which sets forth
35 the following information:
36 (i) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
37 (ii) A description of each dangerous wild animal, including the
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_1 scientific name, name, sex, age, color, weight, and any
_2 distinguishing marks or coloration that would aid in the
_3 identification of the animal;
_4 (iii) A photograph of the dangerous wild animal;
_5 (iv) The exact location where the dangerous wild animal is to
_6 be kept;
_7 (v) The name, address, and telephone number of the person from
_8 whom the applicant obtained the dangerous wild animal, if known;
_9 (vi) The identification number of the dangerous wild animal,
10 excluding reptiles when such device would endanger the well-being
11 of the reptile; and
12 (vii) The name, address, and phone number of the veterinarian
13 who is expected to provide veterinary care to the dangerous wild
14 animal;
15 (c) Any additional information the animal control authority may
16 deem necessary to carry out this chapter.
17 (4) A permit shall not be granted unless the animal control
18 authority finds that all of the following apply:
19 (a) The provisions outlined under subsection (1) of this
20 section are met;
21 (b) The applicant is twenty-one years of age or older;
22 (c) The applicant has not been convicted of, or found
23 responsible for, violating a local or state law prohibiting
24 cruelty, neglect, or mistreatment of an animal or has not within
25 the past ten years been convicted of a felony or been convicted
26 for possession, sale, or use of illegal narcotics;
27 (d) The facility and the conditions in which the dangerous wild
28 animal will be kept are in compliance with this chapter;
29 (e) The owner of the dangerous wild animal has obtained the
30 requisite liability insurance coverage or surety bond for the
31 dangerous wild animal under his or her control as set forth in
32 section 9 of this act; and
33 (f) The owner has regularly provided veterinary care to the
34 dangerous wild animal when needed and intends to provide such care
35 in the future.
36 (5) The personal possession permit shall set forth all of the
37 following information:
38 (a) The name, address, and phone number of the permit holder;
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_1 (b) The address if different than (a) of this subsection, where
_2 the dangerous wild animal will be kept;
_3 (c) The name, number, species, and age of the dangerous wild
_4 animal, and any distinguishing marks or coloration that would aid
_5 in the identification of the animal;
_6 (d) The identification number as required under section 6 of
_7 this act, if applicable;
_8 (e) The name, address, and phone number of the veterinarian who
_9 is expected to provide veterinary care to the dangerous wild
10 animal named on the permit; and
11 (f) Any other relevant information the animal control authority
12 may deem necessary.
13 (6) The animal control authority shall keep records of who is
14 carrying a valid permit. A permit holder shall notify the animal
15 control authority of any changes of the stated information on the
16 permit, which shall include the death of the dangerous wild
17 animal.
18 NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The owner of the dangerous wild animal
19 shall have an identification number placed in the dangerous wild
20 animal via subcutaneous microchip, at the expense of the owner, by
21 or under the supervision of a veterinarian. This section does not
22 apply to dangerous wild reptiles if a veterinarian determines that
23 the placement of a subcutaneous microchip would endanger the well-
24 being of the reptile.
25 NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The animal control authority may
26 establish specific caging requirements for the keeping and
27 confinement of dangerous wild animals. If the animal control
28 authority establishes caging requirements, the permittee shall
29 keep and confine the dangerous wild animal in strict accordance
30 with the established caging requirements. Any deviations from the
31 regulations established by the animal control authority shall be
32 approved by the animal control authority upon a showing of good
33 cause.
34 (2) All caging requirements established by the animal control
35 authority shall ensure that the dangerous wild animal is confined
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_1 in a primary enclosure that protects the public's safety and
_2 health and ensures the safety and well-being of the dangerous wild
_3 animal.
_4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) A dangerous wild animal shall not be
_5 tethered, leashed, or chained outdoors, or allowed to run at
_6 large.
_7 (2) A dangerous wild animal shall not be mistreated, neglected,
_8 abandoned, or deprived of necessary food, water, and sustenance.
_9 (3) A permittee transporting a dangerous wild animal in a
10 vehicle shall ensure that the dangerous wild animal is
11 individually and securely caged, even while inside a passenger
12 vehicle or in the bed of a truck.
13 (4) Each permittee shall have a plan for the quick and safe
14 recapture of the dangerous wild animal if the dangerous wild
15 animal escapes, if recapture is impossible, then a plan for the
16 destruction of the dangerous wild animal held under a personal
17 possession permit.
18 (5) If an owner realizes that he or she can no longer care for
19 the dangerous wild animal, an animal rescue facility, wildlife
20 sanctuary, or an American zoo and aquarium association accredited
21 facility shall be contacted for possible placement of the animal
22 before euthanization of the dangerous wild animal.
23 NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. (1) All owners of a dangerous wild animal
24 shall either: (a) Maintain liability insurance coverage with an
25 insurer qualified under Title 48 RCW in the amount of at least two
26 hundred fifty thousand dollars insuring for bodily injury to or
27 death of a person or injury and destruction to property caused by
28 the dangerous wild animal; or (b) must guarantee that the owner
29 has a surety bond issued by a surety insurer qualified under
30 chapter 48.28 RCW in a form acceptable to the animal control
31 authority in the amount of at least two hundred fifty thousand
32 dollars. All owners of a dangerous wild animal shall provide a copy
33 of the policy for liability insurance or proof of surety bond to
34 the animal control authority on a yearly basis.
35 (2) All owners of a dangerous wild animal shall have posted and
36 displayed at each possible entrance onto the premises where a
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_1 dangerous wild animal is kept a conspicuous sign, clearly legible,
_2 and easily readable by the public warning that there is a
_3 dangerous wild animal on the premises. In addition, the owner shall
_4 conspicuously display a sign with a warning symbol that informs
_5 children of the presence of a dangerous wild animal.
_6 (3) If any dangerous wild animal escapes or is released, either
_7 intentionally or unintentionally, the owner of the dangerous wild
_8 animal shall immediately contact a law enforcement officer of the
_9 city or county where the owner resides to report the escape or
10 release. The owner is liable for all expenses associated with
11 efforts to recapture the animal. If it is determined that the owner
12 was not at fault for the escape or release of the dangerous wild
13 animal, and the person who is responsible for the escape or
14 release is known, the owner may bring a civil action suit for
15 damages against the person.
16 NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The permittee shall not bring a dangerous
17 wild animal to any commercial or retail establishment unless the
18 permittee is bringing the animal to a veterinarian or a veterinary
19 clinic.
20 NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. An owner of a dangerous wild animal, at
21 all reasonable times, shall allow an animal control officer to
22 enter the premises where the animal is kept to ensure compliance
23 with this chapter.
24 NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. (1) Any dangerous wild animal shall be
25 immediately confiscated by an animal control authority if the: (a)
26 Owner does not have a personal possession permit under section 5
27 of this act; (b) owner does not secure the liability insurance
28 coverage or surety bond required under section 9 of this act; (c)
29 provisions of section 8 of this act are not being met; (d)
30 conditions under which the dangerous wild animal is kept are
31 directly or indirectly dangerous to human health and safety. In
32 addition, the owner is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable in
33 accordance with RCW 9A.20.021.
34 (2) A dangerous wild animal may be returned to the owner only
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_1 if the owner has a personal possession permit and has corrected
_2 the conditions resulting in the confiscation.
_3 (3) If a dangerous wild animal is confiscated, the owner is
_4 liable for the costs of placement and care for the dangerous wild
_5 animal from the time of confiscation until the time of return to
_6 the owner or until the time the animal has been relocated to an
_7 alternative facility, such as a sanctuary, licensed humane
_8 society, or an institution accredited by the American zoo and
_9 aquarium association.
10 NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. Sections 1 through 12 of this act
11 constitute a new chapter in Title 77 RCW.
‑‑‑ END ‑‑‑
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