BILL REQ. #:  H-1663.1 

Read first time 02/20/2003.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs; and adding a new section to chapter 16.08 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 16.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The breed of a dog shall not be a determining factor when declaring a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous.
     (2) A dog may not be considered potentially dangerous or dangerous if the dog's threatening behavior or infliction of injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was:
     (a) Committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the dog;
     (b) Tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog; or
     (c) Committing or attempting to commit a crime.