As reported in The Columbian citing an article published in The Spokesman-Review several pets are up for adoption following the convictions of 4 people for animal cruelty. The animals included guinea pigs, horses and goats. According to the article, “[m]ost of the animals were in cages with no water and large amounts of feces. The home had no running water or electricity and was filled with animal feces, rotting food and garbage.” The terms of the convictions include limitations on number of pets that can be owned in the future by the defendants.
RCW 16.52.207 – Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree
(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the person knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal.
(2) An owner of an animal is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the owner knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence:
(a) Fails to provide the animal with necessary shelter, rest, sanitation, space, or medical attention and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of the failure;
(b) Under circumstances not amounting to animal cruelty in the second degree under (c) of this subsection, abandons the animal; or (c) Abandons the animal and (i) as a result of being abandoned, the animal suffers bodily harm; or (ii) abandoning the animal creates an imminent and substantial risk that the animal will suffer substantial bodily harm.
(3) Animal cruelty in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
(4) In any prosecution of animal cruelty in the second degree under subsection (1) or (2)(a) of this section, it shall be an affirmative defense, if established by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant’s failure was due to economic distress beyond the defendant’s control.
Gross Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000.00 fine.
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