SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6560

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, February 3, 2004

Title: An act relating to animal cruelty.

Brief Description: Modifying animal cruelty provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Oke, Fraser, Swecker, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, Fairley and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 2/2/04, 2/3/04 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6560 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: The method of using treble hooks covered with rabbit fur to snag coyotes has been used in some states on the east coast. That practice appears to be legal in the state of Washington and does not violate the Fish and Wildlife Code. A dog was caught on one of these baited treble hooks in Olympia in 2003.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The animal cruelty statute is amended to provide that the malicious use of a hook in a manner that the hook purposefully pierces the flesh of a bird or mammal constitutes animal cruelty in the first degree.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute only addresses first degree animal cruelty and provides that the act of using a hook is both malicious and purposeful.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: A dog was almost killed by ingesting a hook that was purposely baited to catch coyote. This practice is barbaric and has no place in today's world. This is one of the consequences of I-713; there are likely to be more and more problems until we correct the mistakes of I-713.

Testimony Against: The definition of animal cruelty in the second degree is too vague, and is not needed.

Testified: PRO: Rob Kavanaugh; Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council, Cit. for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt.; Steve Pozzanghera, WDFW.