FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6195

                              C 226 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Kreidler and Moore)

Prohibiting the use of live animals to train hunting, tracking or fighting animals.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

There have been several cases where kittens have been mutilated and killed by hunting hounds being trained to track.  A case in Thurston County in the spring of 1989 ended in a conviction of one person.  Wildlife enforcement agents and county sheriffs state that this is not an isolated occurrence.

SUMMARY:

The cruelty to animals statute is amended to provide that any person who uses domestic dogs or cats as bait, prey or targets for the purpose of training dogs or other animals to track, fight or hunt in any way which would torture, torment, starve or mutilate such animals shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  Any person who uses domestic dogs and cats in this way is guilty of a gross misdemeanor when the action results in the death of an animal.  A person who captures a domestic dog or cat with a trap for the purpose of using the dog or cat as bait prey or targets for training dogs is guilty of a misdemeanor.  This statute does not affect the use of animals for higher education or biomedical research.  Law enforcement authorities enforcing these provisions may seize and hold the animals being trained.  The courts shall determine the disposition of dogs that have been held.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   48    0

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   46    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990