Washington's Animal Cruelty Laws just got tougher: Focus on SSB 5065

Friday July 22, Substitute Senate Bill 5065 took effect. That bill, overwhelmingly supported by state legislators in the 2011 session, corrected gaps and weaknesses in our state's primary animal cruelty law, Chapter 16.52 RCW.

SSB 5065 creates stronger and more effective measures to prevent people convicted of animal cruelty from owning, caring for, or residing with animals following conviction.  This provision will help prevent offenders from easily repeating their crimes.   

SSB 5065 also makes all forms of animal cruelty that are classified as second degree animal cruelty punishable as gross misdemeanors.  Previously, some forms of second degree animal cruelty were punishable only as a misdemeanor, a lesser crime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUTTS OUT ~ Smoking can kill your pet, too 

by Jordy Byrd ~In Health NW

Can you picture the iconic 1970s images of the Marlboro man? Can you picture panoramic views of wide-open prairies,blue skies and a rugged cowboy perched atop his trusty steed?

Well, chances are that horse was coughing in the background. This might sound melodramatic, but studies find that secondhand smoke not only increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses in humans, but it can also kill pets, too. An increasing body of research shows that pets are prone to cancer, asthma and nicotine poisoning when exposed. Read about the harm that second hand smoke can do to your animals.....  http://inhealthnw.com/story.php?id=376

 

 

Spokane County Voters Reject Animal Shelter Levy

 

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Voters in Spokane County told local officials that now is not the right time to consolidate animal shelters across Spokane County.

Spokane County Measure 1, the Animal Shelter Levy, was rejected with 56-percent of the voters giving the measure a thumbs down.  The measure would have increased property taxes about a dollar for a home around $200,000 in order for SCRAPS to move out of its 40-year-old shelter.

 

It would have also put SCRAPS in charge of all animal control in the city, a contract that is currently held by Spokanimal.  Even though the levy failed, the group says they still desperately need a new shelter.  "We still have a 40-year-old business that is highly inefficient to operate and we need to replace that at the lowest possible cost," Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke said.

The group backing the levy says its looking at other options that would be cheaper for the citizens and will try to put it back on the ballot in the future.