PAWS: Report Animal Cruelty

Washington State Laws

Follow the links below to read the full, official language of Washington State's animal cruelty laws.

RCW 16.52.205 Animal cruelty in the first degree

RCW 16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the second degree (includes animal abandonment)

RCW 16.52.117 Animal fighting

RCW 16.52.100 Legal intervention by others to help animals without food or water

(RCW means Revised Code of Washington)

Animal Cruelty Punishments

Animal cruelty in the first degree:

Class C Felony
Fine up to $10,000
Imprisonment up to 5 years

Animal cruelty in the second degree (except section: (2)(c)):

Misdemeanor
Fine up to $1,000
Imprisonment up to 90 days

Animal cruelty in the second degree (section (2)(c)—if animal is abandoned and suffers bodily harm or is at substantial risk for suffering bodily harm:

Gross Misdemeanor
Fine up to $5,000
Imprisonment up to 1 year

Animal fighting:

Class C Felony
Fine up to $10,000
Imprisonment up to 5 years

Other Resources
International Institute for Animal Law’s AnimalLaw.com allows you to search/find/read laws and legislation in all 50 states regarding animal welfare.

Search the Washington State Legislature website to find all Washington State laws and agency rules and regulations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Information Center provides all federal laws regarding animal care.

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