Washington RCW 16.52 criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect statewide, providing the legal foundation for animal hoarding prosecutions when owners fail to provide necessary food, water, shelter, and veterinary care to multiple animals.
RCW 16.52.207 defines animal cruelty in the second degree as knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence failing to provide necessary food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, ventilation, space, or medical attention causing unnecessary suffering. Hoarding cases typically trigger this statute when conditions affect multiple animals. RCW 16.52.085 grants law enforcement authority to seize neglected animals with a warrant, and RCW 16.52.200 allows courts to impose pre-conviction costs of care on owners. The statute applies universally across all Washington jurisdictions.
Animal cruelty in the second degree is a misdemeanor; first-degree cruelty involving intentional infliction of pain is a Class C felony under RCW 16.52.205, with potential lifetime ownership bans.
See how Silverdale's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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