On July 23, 2017, SSB 5356 will officially become law. This bill relates to the humane treatment of dogs who are kept chained and/or tethered.
“The current Washington State animal cruelty laws offers protection to pets, livestock and working animals from unnecessary pain and suffering, abuse and neglect, but didn’t directly address the issue.” said Nancy Hill, Executive Director of SCRAPS. “This law is specifically aimed at helping dogs who are being kept chained and/or tethered for long periods of time in inhumane conditions.”
Many groups including the Washington Federation of Animal Care & Control Agencies (WACA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the ASPCA and animal shelters, animal control agencies and prosecutors from across the state worked together to draft SSB 5356 which was signed into law on April 18, 2017 by Governor Jay Inslee.
SSB5356 will include a new section to Washington State RCW 16.52 to include the following:
- Any dog that is restrained outside by a tether must only be restrained for a period of time that is not reckless and in compliance with this section.
- If there are multiple dogs tethered, each dog must be on a separate tether and not secured to the same fixed point.
- A dog shall not be tethered in a manner that results in the dog being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or that forces the dog to stand, sit, or lie down in its own excrement or urine.
- The tether must allow the dog to sit, lie down, and stand comfortably without the restraint becoming taut and allow the dog a range of movement. A dog shall not be tethered if it is ill, suffering from a debilitation disease, injured, in distress, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, or under six months of age.
Each incident involving a violation of SSB5356 is considered a separate offense.
- The first offense shall result in a correction warning being issued requiring the offense to be corrected by the person who owns, keeps or controls the dog within seven days of the date of the warning.
- The second offense is a Class 2 Civil Infraction under Washington State RCW 7.08.120(1)(b).
- The third or subsequent offense is a Class 1 Civil Infraction under Washington State RCW 7.08.120 (1) (a).
View the entire bill here: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5356-S.PL.pdf#page=1
About SCRAPS: Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) is a progressive municipal animal care and protection agency serving the unincorporated areas of Spokane County, the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Fairfield, Deer Park, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, and Millwood and Rockford. SCRAPS has deputized animal protection officers extensively trained to enforce animal laws and respond to emergency situations. SCRAPS is also active in educational and community outreach programs and is dedicated to its continued investment in innovative behavioral programs.
