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Washington Revised Code Title 9. Crimes and Punishments § 9.08.070. Pet animals--Taking, concealing, injuring, killing, etc.--Penalty

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) Any person who, with intent to deprive or defraud the owner thereof, does any of the following shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW and, for adult offenders, a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars per pet animal shall be imposed, except as provided by subsection (2) of this section:

(a) Takes, leads away, confines, secretes or converts any pet animal, except in cases in which the value of the pet animal exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars;

(b) Conceals the identity of any pet animal or its owner by obscuring, altering, or removing from the pet animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other identifying device or mark;

(c) Willfully or recklessly kills or injures any pet animal, unless excused by law.

(2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from also being convicted of separate offenses under RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, or 9A.56.050 for theft, under RCW 9A.56.150, 9A.56.160, or 9A.56.170 for possession of stolen property, or under chapter 16.52 RCW for animal cruelty.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 9. Crimes and Punishments § 9.08.070. Pet animals--Taking, concealing, injuring, killing, etc.--Penalty - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-9-crimes-and-punishments/wa-rev-code-9-08-070/

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