Washington Statewide Rule
Washington Dangerous Wild Animal Possession Ban Statewide
Key Facts
- Statute
- RCW 16.30.020
- Banned Species
- Big cats, bears, primates
- Grandfather Date
- July 22, 2007
- Repeat Offense
- Class C felony
Summary
Washington RCW 16.30 prohibits private possession, breeding, and importation of dangerous wild animals including big cats, bears, wolves, and primates, applying uniformly statewide with limited grandfather and accreditation exceptions.
(1) A person shall not own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the state, or have custody or control of a potentially dangerous wild animal, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section. (2) A person shall not breed a potentially dangerous wild animal.
Full Breakdown
RCW 16.30.020 makes it unlawful for any person to own, possess, breed, or transfer dangerous wild animals as defined in RCW 16.30.010, including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, bears, hyenas, wolves, nonhuman primates, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and certain reptiles. Exemptions exist for AZA-accredited zoos, licensed research facilities, and animals lawfully owned before July 22, 2007 if registered. Local jurisdictions retain authority to enact stricter rules but cannot weaken the state ban.
Violations & Penalties
Possession of a dangerous wild animal is a gross misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class C felony for subsequent violations under RCW 16.30.050, with mandatory animal seizure and forfeiture of equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a tiger or monkey in Washington?
Are reptiles like venomous snakes covered by the ban?
Sources
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