Brief Description: Prohibiting interference with search and rescue dogs.

Sponsors: Senators Benson, Carrell, Mulliken, Kastama, Poulsen, Parlette, Hewitt, Esser, Schmidt, Delvin, Berkey, Franklin, Sheldon, Brandland, Swecker, Schoesler, Zarelli, Honeyford, Rasmussen and Oke.

Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Background: Under the miscellaneous crimes statute, dog guides, dogs trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or assisting hearing impaired persons, and service animals, animals trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person's sensory, mental, or physical disability, are protected by law from harmful behavior directed at them by a person or their dog. A person found guilty of interfering with, injuring, or causing the death of a dog guide or service animal can be subject to both criminal penalties and restitution to the victim.

Summary: Under the miscellaneous crimes statute, on-duty search and rescue dogs are protected by law from harmful interference directed at them by a person or their dog. A person found guilty of interfering with, injuring, or causing the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog can be subject to both criminal penalties and restitution to the victim.

Criminal penalties include misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony offenses. Restitution includes damages, incidental and consequential expenses, the value of the replacement of an incapacitated or deceased dog, and the training of a replacement dog, among other things.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      95   0   (House amended)
Senate      44   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005