RCW 16.52.190
Poisoning animals—Penalty.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of poisoning animals if the person intentionally or knowingly poisons an animal under circumstances which do not constitute animal cruelty in the first degree.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to euthanizing by poison an animal in a lawful and humane manner by the animal's owner, or by a duly authorized servant or agent of the owner, or by a person acting pursuant to instructions from a duly constituted public authority.
(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the reasonable use of rodent or pest poison, insecticides, fungicides, or slug bait for their intended purposes. As used in this section, the term "rodent" includes but is not limited to Columbia ground squirrels, other ground squirrels, rats, mice, gophers, rabbits, and any other rodent designated as injurious to the agricultural interests of the state as provided in *chapter 17.16 RCW. The term "pest" as used in this section includes any pest as defined in RCW 17.21.020.
(4) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2003 c 53 § 111; 1994 c 261 § 13; 1941 c 105 § 1; RRS § 3207-1. Formerly RCW 16.52.150, part.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Chapter 17.16 RCW was repealed by 1994 c 11 § 1.
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Finding—Intent—1994 c 261: See note following RCW 16.52.011.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 16 - Animals and Livestock
Chapter 16.52 - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
16.52.011 - Definitions—Principles of liability.
16.52.015 - Enforcement—Law enforcement agencies and animal care and control agencies.
16.52.020 - Humane societies—Enforcement authority.
16.52.025 - Humane societies—Animal control officers.
16.52.080 - Transporting or confining in unsafe manner—Penalty.
16.52.085 - Removal of animals for feeding and care—Examination—Notice—Euthanasia.
16.52.090 - Docking horses—Misdemeanor.
16.52.095 - Certain veterinary procedures—Misdemeanor.
16.52.100 - Confinement without food and water—Intervention by others.
16.52.117 - Animal fighting—Prohibited behavior—Penalty—Exceptions.
16.52.180 - Limitations on application of chapter.
16.52.185 - Exclusions from chapter.
16.52.190 - Poisoning animals—Penalty.
16.52.193 - Poisoning animals—Strychnine sales—Records—Report on suspected purchases.
16.52.200 - Sentences—Forfeiture of animals—Liability for costs—Penalty—Education, counseling.
16.52.205 - Animal cruelty in the first degree.
16.52.207 - Animal cruelty in the second degree—Penalty.
16.52.210 - Destruction of animal by law enforcement officer—Immunity from liability.
16.52.220 - Transfers of mammals for research—Certification requirements—Pet animals.
16.52.225 - Nonambulatory livestock—Transporting or accepting delivery—Gross misdemeanor—Definition.
16.52.230 - Remedies not impaired.
16.52.300 - Dogs or cats used as bait—Seizure—Limitation.
16.52.305 - Unlawful use of hook—Gross misdemeanor.
16.52.330 - Veterinarians—Animal cruelty—Liability immunity.