Washington
Anti-Cruelty
StatutesREVISED
CODE OF WASHINGTON
TITLE 16. ANIMALS, ESTRAYS, BRANDS AND FENCES
CHAPTER
16.52. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMAL
16.52.205.
Animal cruelty in the first degree A person is guilty of animal cruelty
in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally
(a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills
an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary
pain, injury, or death on an animal. Animal cruelty in the first degree
is a class C felony. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.52.207.
Animal cruelty in the second degree
(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty
in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal
cruelty, the person knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts
unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal. (2) An owner of an animal
is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting
to first degree animal cruelty, the owner knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal
negligence: (a) Fails to provide the animal with necessary food, water,
shelter, rest, sanitation, ventilation, space, or medical attention and the animal
suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of the failure;
or (b) Abandons the animal. (3) Animal cruelty in the second degree
is a misdemeanor. (4) In any prosecution of animal cruelty in the second
degree, it shall be an affirmative defense, if established by the defendant by
a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant's failure was due to economic
distress beyond the defendant's control.
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