BILL REQ. #: S-4524.1

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SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6560
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State of Washington

58th Legislature

2004 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Senators Oke, Fraser, Swecker, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, Fairley and Winsley)

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/04.

AN ACT Relating to animal cruelty; amending RCW 16.52.205; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 16.52.205 and 1994 c 261 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal. The malicious use of a hook in a manner whereby the hook purposefully pierces the flesh of a bird or mammal constitutes animal cruelty in the first degree.
     (2) Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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