GRAPHIC: From L&I. Section 16.10.020 of state law gives county commissioners the ability to establish dog control zones in highly populated districts or areas. Following these breeds, the next group representing the highest occurrence of attacks included German shepherds, chows, and Akitas. Under Title 7, § 3907, 12-C of the Animal Laws of the State of Maine, "Dog means a member of the genus and species known as Canis familiaris or any canine, regardless of generation, resulting from the interbreeding of a member of Canis familiaris with a wolf hybrid as defined in subsection 30." Colburn Law. One such law is the ability of a county to create dog control zones. Washington’s dog bite statute is not the only state law pertaining to dog ownership and control. Dog owners have a responsibility to be aware of all the laws that pertain to dogs in your city and state. Read on to learn how Washington state dog bite laws give victims a path to compensation. Thus, the breed-specific law will help to prevent if not eliminate those types of severe attacks that often come without any advance warning. Dog attacks can cause many physical and emotional damages a victim may have the right to recover through the civil justice system. If we, as a community, continue to see more and more incidents of serious and unprovoked attacks committed by one or more of the notorious breeds (like pit bull mixes and Rottweilers), more municipalities will likely start to enact breed-specific laws to assuage public concerns. West's RCWA 16.08.010 - 110. Washington’s main dog bite statute is in Section 16.08.040 of the Revised Code of Washington. For example, many dangerous dogs are required to wear a muzzle and/or restraint apparatus when not contained within pre-approved housing enclosures. Most states, Washington included, mandate restraint for dogs by outlawing loose dogs (often called "dogs at large"). This is a controversial issue. The following is designed to be a resource for dog owners in Washington state. Many states, including Washington, have enacted dog bite statutes that give specific guidelines for dog bite cases. If any of the information is incorrect or outdated, please let us know. Washington Dog Bite Laws: The Basics. The state Senate recently ruled (April 2019) that while breed bans are still allowed, local jurisdictions must require exceptions for owners who can prove their dogs are well-behaved. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the answer is no. It will not cost you anything to have your injury claim evaluated by one of our experienced attorneys. If this event happened to you in Washington State, you might want to know what the dog bite laws are. Chris Davis is the founder of Davis Law Group, P.S. Failure to have your dog on a leash in Seattle results in a $54 fine. A significant change is coming to the way local jurisdictions are able to... 2. Under current law, cities in Washington state are allowed to prohibit residents from keeping certain breeds of dogs within the city limits. Chapter 16-59 - Avian diseases in Washington state. Washington state law restricts the rights of people who own a dog that poses a threat of injury to the public. These zones can impose restrictions as to how people use the land, as well as mandatory pet control. At Davis Law Group we are here to help dog attack victims. Every state has unique laws regarding pet ownership, dog bites, and animal attacks. Call 811 Before You Dig is the primary key in preventing damages! Washington State Human Rights Commission. Service animals and emotional support animals may be used by persons with disabilities of a wide variety for a … Attorney Chris Davis and the legal team at Davis Law Group work to get you the money you deserve for your injuries. This law imposes strict liability on the owner of any dog that bites a person, regardless of any prior knowledge of viciousness or negligence on the owner’s part. Among the provisions include vaccination requirements, dog control zones in municipalities, dangerous dog laws, and provisions concerning hunting with dogs. Local Dog Leash Laws Many municipalities throughout the state of Washington require that pet owners keep their dogs and other domestic animals on leashes whenever the animals are in public places. Under the law, the owner or keeper of any dog shall be liable to the owner of any animal killed or injured by such dog for the amount of damages sustained in a civil action. View model and noted breed-specific ordinances and mandatory pit bull spaying and neutering ordinances. The ASPCA also points to a study by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) which did not support breed specific legislation because of several problems associated with this type of law, including the inaccuracy of dog bite data and the difficulty of identifying dog breeds (especially mixed breeds). Title 16 RCW This also means that the animal control agency responsible for dogs in a given jurisdiction may potentially be held legally responsible for injuries caused by a dangerous dog which was not properly handled or euthanized. This organization relies on a 2003 study that addressed the effectiveness of a pit bull ban passed by Prince Georges County, Maryland. Chapter 16-71 - Equine infectious anemia. Summary: These Washington statutes comprise the state's dog laws. The dog must be able to lie down while fully extended without the dog's head, tail, legs, face, or feet touching any side of an enclosure and without touching any other dog in the enclosure when all … 16.08.040: Dog bites — Liability. Most states have statutes in place permitting dog bite victims to file claims seeking financial recovery from pet owners. Once legislation is signed by the governor, it becomes law. Park hours vary depending on weather and season. A local Seattle personal injury attorney can help you navigate a dog bite claim. It is a collection of Session Laws (enacted by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor, or enacted via the initiative process), arranged by topic, with amendments added and repealed laws … Federal laws include the Animal Welfare Act, 1966, which focuses on warm blooded animals used in animal research facilities, protections against the use of interstate shipment of animals, or animals used in illegal fighting ventures. This is the case in only two states – Michigan and Pennsylvania. The question is whether breed-ban laws have any appreciable effect on the reduction of attacks against humans. Central to the argument that certain breeds should be banned is that those uniquely dangerous breeds like pit bull mixes and Rottweilers often tend to attack without the series of warnings that most other dogs provide first, and then often inflict immediate and severe injuries, whereas most other breed-types will inflict disabling, disfiguring, or fatal injuries only in sustained attacks or pack attacks. The pet may be "at large," which means that it can move around without a leash, in certain parks, commonly referred to as "dog parks." He had the dog on 5 occasions: 3 weekends, 1 three week period, and 1 seven day period. www.hum.wa.gov or toll free 1-800-233-3247 “A neutral, law enforcement agency that can explain the law regarding service animals and provide technical assistance.” Northwest ADA Center. There is a Seattle ordinance that requires all pets (except for cats and, strangely enough, pigeons) to be kept on leashes anytime they are off their owners' property. Anne Radford of the State Liquor Control Board said there are no state liquor laws regarding dogs in liquor licensed businesses, but referred the question to the State Department of Health. Additionally, anyone who harbors, keeps or is negligent with a dog can be held liable for injuries caused by the dog. Local jurisdictions in Washington state can still enforce breed bans, but must exempt dogs that pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen program test. As of Jan. 1, cities and towns in Washington that ban entire breeds of dogs or define them as potentially dangerous must create a “reasonable” process for exempting a … Strict liability means that the defendant is held liable if something happens, regardless whether they could have done anything to prevent the incident. “Service animal” means an animal that is trained for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a … Essentially, with certain breeds it is much better to be safe than sorry after a gruesome attack has occurred. After we review all your legal options with you, you will then make the decision as to whether you wish to proceed with your case. This law imposes strict … There are 14 designated off-leash dog parks in Seattle. This is not the case in Washington. This is also true of someone who refuses to answer the questions asked of them in situations described in “How will the law work in real life,” above. Dogs must always be under the control of owners in controlled zones. Many animals are illegal to own, transport, and import into Washington State. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite resulting in any kind of physical injury, it is important to contact a local dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Leash laws are ordinances requiring dogs to be restrained when not confined to their owner's property. The 10-step test determines whether a dog will react aggressively to strangers, being petted, and interacting with unfamiliar dogs. Many cities, towns and counties have their own laws and regulations regarding licensure and confinement of dogs. The following summary of Washington State's dog bite laws will help you cut through the legalese and get a better understanding of the law. There are several state agencies that regulate animal ownership. Washington State Dog Laws 1. On the other side of the debate are those that believe certain breeds are statistically much more responsible for attacks upon people (e.g., pit bulls and their mixes can account for nearly three-fourths of all attacks). An estimated 125,000 dogs live in Seattle, and each day they dump 41,250 pounds of poop onto yards, sidewalks, parks and maybe where you stepped … Chapter 16-70 - Animal diseases--Reporting. There are some who believe quite strongly that certain breeds have innate traits of aggression that make them more likely to inflict harm on human beings than other types of breeds. An "owner" is any person legally responsible for the care and actions of a pet animal. Licensing laws are enacted and enforced by a city or municipality. Washington State rule, WAC 246-100-197, says: An owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions. *Davis Law Group has been named Best Injury Law Firm in Washington State by AI Legal Awards and Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Washington State by AI Dispute Resolution Awards both awarded by AI Global Media, publishers of Acquisition International Magazine. Breed Specific Dog Laws in Washington State There is not a statewide pet licensing law that governs the state of Washington. Dogs that pass the test are exempt for two years, then must be retested. Toll-free: 800-949-4232 Email: nwadactr@uw.edu Videophone (VP): 425-233-8913 Website: nwadacenter.org Cases such as these tend to be fairly time sensitive, so the sooner you file your claim, the better chance you have at seeing your desired results. “Dog guide” means a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or a dog trained for the purpose of assisting hearing impaired persons. RCW 49.60.214. Any person that brings their dog to an off-leash dog park area remains liable for damages or injury inflicted by the dog and is subject to all applicable Washington state and local laws regulating dogs. This means that a owner and/or keeper may be liable the first time a dog bites. The following cities have ordinances that regulate specific types of dogs: The above information was taken from BSL Census, a national organization that compiles breed specific legislation on a state-by-state basis. We have provided much of this information for free and we encourage you to read our book, When the Dog Bites: The Essential Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Washington, and to browse our website to find out more information about dog bites and the insurance process. The state of Washington has a dog bite statute that is favorable to dog bite victims. The Washington Accident Books™ is a collection of books, reports, and other materials designed to educate the public about the nature of accidents and the legal rights of injury victims. All pet owners must keep up with vaccination requirements, dog control zones, hunting dog regulations, and dangerous dog laws. The ban forced the county to spend more than $250,000 each year to enforce the law. ADA Service Animal Laws Here are the laws from the ADA's website, paraphrased and also cited at the bottom for the credit to the original Authors of the booklet. Owners in Washington may still keep dangerous dogs, but they must adhere to enclosure and control laws. Strict liability law is also more favorable for victims than the negligence doctrine, which requires victims to prove that the owner was negligent in some way that contributed to the attack. Chapter 16-86 - Cattle and bison diseases in Washington state. The proposal states that dogs that fail the test initially can retest after a reasonable amount of time. Owners can get around such bans — which usually target muscular breeds such as pit bulls and Rottweilers — by completing the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program. Breaking the rules of a dog control zone or city statute could result in fines and penalties against the owner, as well as possible impoundment of the animal. Washington’s strict liability law makes it easier for dog bite victims to secure compensation compared to states that follow a one-bite rule. Local authorities have the power to regulate dangerous dogs. Sixty-eight percent of those attacks involved children. But the study concluded that “public safety is not improved as a result of [the ban]” and that “there is no transgression committed by owner or animal that is not covered another non-breed specific portion of the [County’s code] (e.g., vicious animal, nuisance animal, leash laws).” The study recommended that the breed-ban law be repealed. The Canine Good Citizen program began in 1989 and stresses responsible pet ownership. It does not matter whether the owner knew or reasonably should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities, or whether the owner was negligent in controlling the animal. 16.08.070: Dangerous dogs and related definitions. The victim must also prove that the defendant in question was the owner or person controlling the dog. Different cities and counties have enacted their own dog-specific rules and regulations. From the CDC - Use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19; Guidance on cloth face coverings (PDF) from the Washington State Department of Health Award-winning dog bite attorney Chris Davis has written a series of FREE books, including one about dog bite cases in Washington state. 2. Dogs not on a leash can scare off other native animal species, destroy property and be of danger to children and elderly adults. Many states, including Washington, have enacted dog bite statutes that give specific... 3. The website for … Road Trip Safety Tips During Coronavirus Outbreak, Car Accident Claims Involving Leased Vehicles, How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect an Injury Claim. Carry plastic bags when taking your pet for a walk or a romp in the park. Dog bites are not only painful, they can be stressful to deal with and expensive to treat. The core of that belief is that the harm inflicted upon a human being by a dog may be irreparable and no amount of punishment can undo the damage. BEST PRACTICES ON FACE MASKS OR CLOTH FACE COVERINGS. What you can do to help. Damage claims can seek financial recovery for many different losses relating to the accident, including past and future medical expenses, lost income, property damages, and pain and suffering. in Seattle, WA. Per state law, a dog is considered to be legally "dangerous" if it has either directly caused severe injury to a human person or is responsible for having killed a domestic animal. Washington state Animal Cruelty Laws. Check with your local authorities if you have any questions. The fine for not displaying the pass is $99. Find out how much your case could be worth. Some people assume that their state has a mandatory leash law. ©2021 Davis Law Group, P.S., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission, American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program, The victim was legally allowed to be where the dog bite occurred, and, Leash laws are generally instituted and enforced by a city or a municipality, There is not a statewide leash law in Washington. Possible defenses to dog bite claims are that the plaintiff was trespassing when the dog attacked, or that the plaintiff instigated the bite by provoking the dog. The ADA and Washington law prohibit public accommodations from charging a special admission fee or requiring you to pay any other extra cost to have your service animal with you. While an off-leash dog would not appear to pose a threat in most situations, there are situations when they can cause a disturbance. The law makes the owner of the dog strictly liable for dog bites. Over the years, our dog bite attorneys have heard these questions many times. But the question remains whether these breeds were responsible because of some innate characteristic associated with the animal or because they were more likely to be groomed and trained by their owners to act in an aggressive manner. These books answer common legal questions that people and their loved ones may have about their legal rights, including how to handle your claim on your own and when you might need an attorney's help. Some states require evidence of at least one prior incident — referred to as a “one-bite rule”— before an owner can be sued. The proposal needs to be signed by the governor to be enacted. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the compilation of all permanent laws now in force. The breeds of pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes accounted for 74 percent of reported attacks from 1982 through 2005. 1. 16.08.060: Provocation as a defense. The service is provided free to the excavator and Washington law requires that underground utilities be located prior to digging. Unlike it most other types of personal injury cases, victims do not need to establish negligence in a strict liability dog bite case in Washington State. No Fees Unless We Win   (206) 919-3215. Breed ban laws appear to be just one prong of a multitude of actions needed to successfully reduce and eliminate serious attacks on humans by high-risk dogs. The state minimum wage will increase from $12 per hour to $13.50 per hour. Washington has several laws relating to dangerous dog breeds. Chapter 16.52 RCW. Strict liability commonly applies to dog bite cases in the following situations: If a dog bite occurs in a state with strict liability, it does not matter what the owner did or did not know about the dog beforehand. Washington’s main dog bite statute is in Section 16.08.040 of the Revised Code of Washington. This dog park rule wasn't added until 1997. 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