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Washington Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: If someone was running from the police and the officer release the dog without any warning to the individual tells the

Get him and the dog bites the individual for under a minute damage to leg would that be considered excessive force????

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 24, 2023

Determining whether the use of a police dog in this scenario constitutes excessive force depends on several factors, including the nature of the incident, the level of threat posed by the individual, and the adherence to police protocols.

The use of police dogs is generally governed by...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: I was bit by a customers dog while delivering a food order. It's my gf's delivery account. Can I seek damages??

I could not just leave the order at the door because I needed a code from customer to finalize order. When she opened her door the big German shepherd got past her and circled around me and got between me and the gate and lunged and bit me below the kneecap. Police report was filed and I went to... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Nov 14, 2023

You can absolutely seek damages in Washington. Washington is a strict liability state. The entire case hinges on whether that person has renter's or homeowner's insurance. There may be a speedbump because it was you and not your GF who made the delivery, but your attorney (and you should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: Can an affirmative defense be used for animal neglect in Washington State
T. Augustus Claus
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T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 30, 2023

An affirmative defense can be used for animal neglect in Washington State. The affirmative defense of economic distress is available to those charged with animal cruelty in the second degree. This means the defendant can argue that they could not provide adequate care for their animal due to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Can i defend my dog with a firearm if it is getting trampled to death in my backyard as a felon. Girlfriends gun. Locked

It was locked and i gained access to it and tried all other means for help i could think of. Only charged with Unlawful possession of a firearm and nothing else. Cop justified the shooting of the cow.

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jan 27, 2023

I am sorry but NO you can not possess a firearm for any reason. Make sure you follow the law so that you don't get charged with an offense that can be avoided by just remembering that your past actions have consequences.

Have a great day

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: why would a possession of stolen proprty charge be turned into a felony

the property was a dog

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Sep 9, 2021

Sorry to hear. The State may have determined that the value of the dog exceeded $750, which would result in a felony charge. The value of the dog is one of many potential issues that a criminal defense attorney can fight. It would be a good idea to call a criminal defense attorney today. Most of us... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: Rehomed my puppy to a family, they only paid part the agreed amount and have avoided paying the rest, can I get my dog?

I chose to re-home my dog after suffering an accident and the reason was to help my family and find a better home for my best friend, I've heard every excuse in the book and all the promises that go with it... I miss my dog, he saved my life more than once and he's worth more than $350 to... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Dec 2, 2020

You can sue to get your dog back for nonperformance on a contract. Text messages will be sufficient to prove there was an agreement, if you do not have a formal, written contract. I would recommend contacting a local civil litigation or contract lawyer in your area to help you with this lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: Can I own an opossum as a pet?

I know I'm not allowed to have 'wild' pets or release a wild opossum except for where it was trapped, but if I were to obtain a domesticated opossum (ie: one bred and raised in captivity by a breeder), would I be allowed to keep it? Would there be regulations for obtaining a... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 24, 2020

Generally, most municipalities prohibit the ownership of wild animals regardless of whether it was allegedly bred for domestic use or not. So you should check your local rules because if you’re caught, the opossum will be taken from you and released into the wild, which could be cruel if it’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Car Accidents and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Dog sitter threw a party at my house ran over our dog, then moved the body to a different street to hide the evidence.

We hired a dog sitter to watch our house and dogs. They threw a party and someone hit the dog. They pulled the hose from our house, which we had put back before our departure, and washed blood from our driveway. The hose was left strewn across our yard. At this point the we don't know if the... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 17, 2020

I am so sorry to hear this! That is horrendous. You can file a police report for animal neglect/abuse/cruelty (depending on your local laws) and also tampering with evidence. You can also sue this person for negligence, breach of contracts, conversion, trespass to chattels, and possibly other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: If someones dog came on my land and killed my chickens, what is their liability? Replacement value only?
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 17, 2020

Yes, replacement value. If there was future income lost, you can add that into the value, too.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Am i legally aloud to shoot a dog that is on my private property and is attempting to attack my own animals?

I am in the county and i am on my own private property, this dog constantly trespasses on my property and is aggressive towards my animals, and sometimes towards my wife and myself.

Tyler Young
Tyler Young
answered on Mar 20, 2020

You are permitted to use self defense to protect yourself, especially if you are on your own property. However, you should contact an attorney in your state for more information about fencing laws and when you can use deadly force to protect your animals which would likely be considered property.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: I was discriminated against at a Motel because I have a service dog.

After paying for a room, providing them a credit card for incidentals and being issued my room keys. The clerk at the front counter told me that I could not have the room because of my service dog. She told me that I must be put in a room specifically for dogs. I informed her it is against federal... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2020

Your frustration is understandable, but the time and resources you might expend in pressing the matter will far exceed a few $10 overpayments. You could consult with a Washington attorney to discuss options, but it isn't likely to be a free initial consultation. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: I bought a puppy from a breeder who said would replace it if it didn't turn out to be show quality. It's now been 3

Years and she keeps telling me the next time she has a litter she will give me one . Now she decided to import two new puppies and no longer has the one I sent back to her to replace. I spent about $2000. And I don't have a puppy or money. The deal was to replace the puppy . Always excuses... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jun 25, 2019

If you ever want to get a new puppy you will probably have to sue the breeder for breach of contract.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: what are the laws for dog noise disturbances, and what are the repercussions? Assuming there are levels of offenses.

Looking to possibly buy a new build home with close proximity neighbors. Dogs are outside during the day so who knows what they’d bark at.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 26, 2018

While you may be able to have police issue a summons for a noise disturbance, or while you may be able to bring a small claims action for nuisance law violations, why build there when you suspect potentially unsolvable problems with neighbors? More details are necessary to provide a professional... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: If I'm at dog park and another dog owner is attacking my dog, to what extent can I stop him from hurting/killing my dog?

My dog did not attack him, his dog or anything else.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 26, 2018

Reasonable efforts that fit the situation are typically permitted, though it's best to avoid dog parks for exactly these types of reasons. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: My ex recently abandoned the dog I paid for when we were together. He found out I have her and wants her back.

I paid for her as a puppy in 2014. We split in 2015 when he took her from me. He hasn't had a stable home in almost a year and has been injecting drugs. She was living with him in a trailer with drug addicts and was also pretty skinny. He recently left her with his brother saying he'd be... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 24, 2018

Arguably, he gave up his property rights by not returning to retrieve the dog within the stated period of 1 day, and arguably his brother apparently gifted the dog to you. Based on this perspective, you may have legal rights to the dog. The greater issue relates to dog abuse, which should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: How do I take legal action against a dog handler extorting me and get my dog back, and without harm to dog?

Update

verbal agreement of breeding- handler is extorting me by not returning my dog unless I give her 500 cash and sign a contract I have never seen.

Handler has had my dog for a week to breed. Handler decided she now needs a written contract, and stalled me after driving 2 hours... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 24, 2018

See: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.08.070. This law makes it a crime to steal or otherwise harm a pet animal in WA State. The application of this law is fact dependent. Also, it sounds like your opponent is claiming a lien on your dog, though I only know of such liens in the case... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for Washington on
Q: took my dog to vet afterrelatively minor dog attack.They never warned risk of shock and died 2.5 days later. Can I sue?

Took him to the vet after the attack and they cleaned him up. Next day he was trembling(likely pain) and they stabilized him. I was going to take him first thing in the morning, but he was breathing rapidly at 3 in the morning until his breathing eventually died in my arms. Had I known to watch for... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 20, 2018

Unlikely, because at best most states give you only the value of the dog in commercial terms.

However I wold suggest you contact a member of the State Of Washington Assn for Justice who handles animal issues--they give free consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: Can animal control take away my dog in the city of Seattle if she isn't registered?
Jeremy Cohen
Jeremy Cohen
answered on Jan 25, 2018

Generally property, which your dog is under the law, cannot be seized without a fair hearing. You get an opportunity to exercise your due process rights. Typically there is a fine to pay for a dog being unregistered if it is older than a certain age. You may also want to register the dog... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: my friend wants hes dog back

my friend was staying with a roommate and asked the roommate if he could keep hes dog there until he found a new place and then he did find

a house for him and he's dog and now the roommate doesn't want to give him back is there anything he can do he really misses he's dog ?

Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Feb 25, 2017

Here is a list of lawyers near you that specialize in Animal & Dog law: https://www.justia.com/lawyers/animal-dog-law/washington/pierce-county

This type of issue comes up enough that there are articles written on it:...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: Can anybody take photos of your dog on your own property without your consent
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Dec 8, 2016

As long as they are not trespassing, yes.

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