Washington RCW 16.30 (Dangerous Wild Animals Act, effective July 22, 2007) prohibits ownership, possession, breeding, and import of potentially dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, crocodilians, and venomous snakes. Kennewick defers to RCW 16.30 and has no separate local exotic-pet ordinance.
RCW 16.30.020 prohibits a person from owning, possessing, keeping, harboring, bringing into the state, or having custody or control of a potentially dangerous wild animal, and from breeding such animals. The listed species include lions, tigers, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, wolves (wolf-hybrids excluded), bears, hyenas, nonhuman primates, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and crocodilians (alligators, caimans, gavials). Venomous snake families covered include vipers, cobras, mambas, and sea snakes, plus specific species such as boomslang and certain monitor lizards. A grandfather clause in RCW 16.30.030 allows a person who legally possessed a listed animal before July 22, 2007 to keep that animal for its life with veterinary records or other proof of prior possession; no new additions or breeding. Exceptions exist for accredited zoos and sanctuaries, licensed research, wildlife rehabilitators, and federally licensed circuses. Kennewick Municipal Code does not maintain a separate exotic species list. Common pet reptiles, parrots, ferrets, sugar gliders, and similar species not listed in RCW 16.30 remain lawful, subject to USDA Animal Welfare Act and federal CITES rules.
RCW 16.30.060 imposes civil penalties of $200 to $2,000 per animal per day of violation, with each animal and each day treated as separate violations. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and local law enforcement may seize and place the animal with an accredited sanctuary at the owner's expense, plus boarding and veterinary costs.
Kennewick, WA
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See how Kennewick's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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