BILL REQ. #:  H-1677.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/18/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the sale or purchase of any dog for fighting purposes; and amending RCW 16.52.117.

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:
     (a) Owns, possesses, keeps, or trains any animal with the intent that the animal shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another animal;
     (b) Sells or purchases any dog (Canidae) with the intent that the dog shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another animal;
     (c) For amusement or gain causes any animal to fight with another animal, or causes any animals to injure each other; or
     (((c))) (d) Permits any act in violation of (a) ((or)), (b), or (c) 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))) (c) of this section, with the intent to be present at such exhibition, fighting, or injuring, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
     (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.
     (4) Mere ownership or possession of any animal does not create a presumption that the animal is owned or possessed for any purpose prohibited under this section.