Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 16.52 - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
16.52.330 - Veterinarians—Animal cruelty—Liability immunity.

RCW 16.52.330
Veterinarians—Animal cruelty—Liability immunity.

A veterinarian lawfully licensed in this state to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry who reports, in good faith and in the normal course of business, a suspected incident of animal cruelty that is punishable under this chapter to the proper authorities is immune from liability in any civil or criminal action brought against such veterinarian for reporting the suspected incident. The immunity provided in this section applies only if the veterinarian receives no financial benefit from the suspected incident of animal cruelty beyond charges for services rendered prior to the veterinarian making the initial report.

[ 2013 c 245 § 1.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

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.

16.52.310 - Dog breeding—Limit on the number of dogs—Required conditions—Penalty—Limitation of section—Definitions.

16.52.320 - Maliciously killing or causing substantial bodily harm to livestock belonging to another—Penalty.

16.52.330 - Veterinarians—Animal cruelty—Liability immunity.

16.52.340 - Leave or confine any animal in unattended motor vehicle or enclosed space—Class 2 civil infraction—Officers' authority to reasonably remove animal.

16.52.350 - Dog tethering—Penalties.

16.52.360 - Retail pet store—Sale of dog or cat.