Washington Statewide Rule
Washington Animal Cruelty and Hoarding Criminal Statutes
Key Facts
- Statute
- RCW 16.52.207
- Second Degree
- Misdemeanor
- First Degree
- Class C felony
- Seizure Authority
- RCW 16.52.085
Summary
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.
16.52.207 Animal cruelty in the first degree. (1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering or while manifesting an extreme indifference to life, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal. (2)(a) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized by law or as provided in (c) of this subsection, he or she, with criminal negligence, starves, dehydrates, or suffocates an animal, or exposes an animal to excessive heat or cold and as a result causes: (i) Substantial and unjustifiable physical pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering; or (ii) death. (b) In determining whether an animal has experienced the condition described in (a)(i) of this subsection due to exposure to excessive heat or cold, the trier of fact shall consider any evidence as to: (i) Whether the animal's particular species and breed is physiologically adaptable to the conditions to which the animal was exposed; and (ii) the animal's age, health, medical conditions, and any other physical characteristics of the animal or factor that may affect its susceptibility to excessive heat or cold.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Penalties
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is animal hoarding a specific crime in Washington?
Can authorities take animals from a hoarder before trial?
Sources
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