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Inslee signs measure expanding animal cruelty laws

Published  May 11, 2015 4:13pm PDT
Associated Press



OLYMPIA (AP) — A new measure making it a civil offense to lock an animal in a car or enclosed space in dangerous conditions has been signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Inslee signed Senate Bill 5501 Monday, joined by Waffles, a 1-year-old Schnauzer-Yorkshire Terrier mix who belongs to bill sponsor Sen. Joe Fain.

The new law creates a $125 fine for leaving an unattended animal confined where temperature, lack of water or dearth of fresh air could hurt or kill it.

It also authorizes an animal control officer or law enforcement officer to enter a car or enclosed area to remove the animal, and protects them from any liability for any property damage that may occur.

The legislation also strengthens first-degree animal cruelty statutes, expands animal fighting laws from just dogs and roosters to all animals and increases the charges that can be sought by prosecutors for killing or stealing pets.

Criminal prosecution for animal cruelty could still be pursued separate from the civil fine.