SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1257

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, February 20, 2004

Title: An act relating to the sale or purchase of any dog for fighting purposes.

Brief Description: Using dogs for fighting.

Sponsors: House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Carrell, Haigh, O'Brien and Shabro).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 3/27/03, 4/2/03 [DP]; 2/20/04 [w/oRec-HEA].

Health & Long-Term Care: 2/26/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report: That it be referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care without recommendation.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.

Staff: Lidia Mori (786-7755)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: Under current law it is a gross misdemeanor to participate in or promote animal fighting for exhibition. It is illegal to own, possess, train, or keep an animal with the intention of using it for exhibition fighting. Further, spectators of such events can be charged with a gross misdemeanor. Prior to 1994, this law only applied to dogs.

Current law also prohibits general cruelty to animals. This can include: causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal; transporting or confining animals in an unsafe manner; cutting off animal parts; or poisoning an animal. There are exceptions in statute to this, including among other things, following accepted husbandry practices and slaughtering animals for food.

Summary of Bill: It is a gross misdemeanor to sell or purchase, or aid or abet in the purchase of a dog with the intention of using the animal in a fighting exhibition.

Mere ownership or possession of any animal does not create a presumption that the animal is owned for any purposes prohibited under the animal fighting statute.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.