RCW 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.
(1) It is a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 to leave or confine any animal unattended in a motor vehicle or enclosed space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of necessary water.
(2) To protect the health and safety of an animal, an animal control officer or law enforcement officer who reasonably believes that an animal is suffering or is likely to suffer harm from exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of necessary water is authorized to enter a vehicle or enclosed space to remove an animal by any means reasonable under the circumstances if no other person is present in the immediate area who has access to the vehicle or enclosed space and who will immediately remove the animal. An animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or the department or agency employing such an officer is not liable for any damage to property resulting from actions taken under this section.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents the person who has confined the animal in the vehicle or enclosed space from being convicted of separate offenses for animal cruelty under RCW 16.52.205 or 16.52.207.
[ 2015 c 235 § 1.]
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.