S-3417               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6197

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators Kreidler and Moore

Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 1/3/90.  Read first time 1/8/90 and referred to Committee on  Environment & Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to hounds; adding a new section to chapter 77.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 77.21 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 77.16 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) It is unlawful to:

          (a) Hunt game animals with a hound or hounds from March 15th to August 1st of each year;

          (b) Intentionally allow a hound or hounds to pursue a game animal unless the season is open for the taking of the wild animal;

          (c) Use any electrical equipment while hunting with a hound or hounds; or

          (d) Allow a hound or hounds to run free unless the season is open for taking game animals.

          (2) Nothing in this section prevents the use of dogs to hunt game birds in open season, the use of dogs in dog training seasons authorized by the department, or the use of dogs to perform in department authorized field trials.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.21 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) A person who is convicted of violating section 1 of this act:

          (a) Is guilty of a gross misdemeanor;

          (b) Shall have his or her hound or hounds confiscated by the department; and

          (c) May not keep hunting hounds or hunt with hounds for two years following the conviction.

          (2) The department shall not issue a hound hunting permit to a person who has been convicted of a second violation of section 1 of this act.

          (3) For the purposes of this section, "conviction" includes a forfeiture of bail after being arrested for a violation of section 1 of this act.

          (4) The director shall dispose of hounds confiscated under this section in a manner that maximizes the net revenue to the department.  If there is no demand to purchase the confiscated hounds they shall be disposed of by a licensed veterinarian.