S-1670.1                   _______________________________________________

                                                     SENATE BILL 5832

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Senator Barr

Read first time 02/16/93.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

Requiring humane societies and animal control agencies to offer animals to homes, research facilities, or commercial establishments before euthanasia.

          AN ACT Relating to disposition of animals; and adding new sections to chapter 16.52 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  It is unlawful for any humane society or animal control agency to euthanize any animal in its custody or control if such animal is suitable for placement in any home, research facility, or commercial establishment.  Nonsuitability shall be sworn to by a veterinarian pursuant to criteria adopted by the state department of agriculture.  The humane society or animal control agency shall not refuse to place any animal that is suitable for placement when such refusal is predicated, in whole or part, directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly, on the status of the purchaser or transferee as the employee, agent, director, or officer of a medical research facility or pet store.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) All animal shelters, pounds, or other facilities that receive funding from any state, local, or federal government authority, must make animals in their possession available for ownership at a reasonable cost to any individual or organization that legally sells animals for domestic ownership, animal husbandry, animal research, or other legal activity, to any organization that conducts research in compliance with federal laws governing animal welfare, care, and use.  Any individual or organization may take possession of an animal which is in the custody of a pound or shelter, after any waiting period restricting euthanasia of the animal has expired.  Pounds or shelters must hold animals and make them available to appropriate organizations for one full additional business day after holding periods restricting euthanasia of the animal have expired.  Pounds or shelters may charge a fee for an animal no more than any additional expenses incurred over and above the projected expense of normal care and euthanasia of an animal.

          (2) Any individual or organization, including pounds or shelters, that interferes with or restricts the proper holding and transfer of an animal as specified in subsection (1) of this section is liable for any losses or damages suffered by an individual or organization that may have rightfully taken possession of an animal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 16.52 RCW.

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