2013 Revised Code of Washington
Title 77 - FISH AND WILDLIFE (Formerly: Game and game fish)
77.15 Fish and wildlife enforcement code.
77.15.240 Unlawful use of dogs -- Public nuisance -- Penalty.

RCW 77.15.240 Unlawful use of dogs — Public nuisance — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of dogs if the person:

     (a) Negligently fails to prevent a dog under the person's control from pursuing, harassing, attacking, or killing deer, elk, moose, caribou, mountain sheep, or animals classified as endangered under this title; or

     (b) Uses the dog to hunt deer or elk.

     (2) For purposes of this section, a dog is "under a person's control" if the dog is owned or possessed by, or in the custody of, a person.

     (3) Unlawful use of dogs is a misdemeanor.

     (4)(a) Based on a reasonable belief that a dog is pursuing, harassing, attacking, or killing a snow bound deer, elk, moose, caribou, mountain sheep, or animals classified as protected or endangered under this title, fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers may:

     (i) Lawfully take a dog into custody; or

     (ii) If necessary to avoid repeated harassment, injury, or death of wildlife under this section, destroy the dog.

     (b) Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers who destroy a dog pursuant to this section are immune from civil or criminal liability arising from their actions.

[2012 c 176 § 18; 1998 c 190 § 30.]