SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6122
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Judiciary, February 2, 2012
Title: An act relating to unattended pet animals with a choke chain.
Brief Description: Concerning unattended pet animals with a choke chain.
Sponsors: Senator Carrell.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Judiciary: 1/26/12, 2/01/12, 2/02/12 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6122 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Harper, Vice Chair; Carrell, Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Padden and Regala.
Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)
Background: Any person who, with intent to deprive or defraud the owner, does any of the following is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and required to pay a mandatory fine of not less than $500, except as provided otherwise, per pet animal:
takes, leads away, confines, secretes, or converts any pet animal;
conceals the identity of any pet animal or its owner by obscuring, altering, or removing from the pet animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other identifying device or mark; or
willfully or recklessly kills or injures any pet animal, unless excused by law.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Any person engaged in the business of caring for or medically treating a pet animal who leaves the animal unattended while the animal is secured around the neck with a choke chain and who injures or kills the pet animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and must pay a mandatory fine of not less than $500 per animal.
Any person licensed in veterinary medicine or certified in animal massage is prohibited from leaving any pet animal with a choke chain unattended.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute as Passed Committee): The type of person caring or treating a pet is added. The requirement for willfulness or recklessness is removed. The time period the pet must be left alone is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony as Heard in Committee: PRO: We need to treat our animals well.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Yoshe Revelle, citizen.