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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ferguson signs animal cruelty bill
May 14—OLYMPIA — In a step toward enhancing animal welfare, the Washington State Legislature has passed House Bill 1149, an act aimed at the prevention of cruelty to animals. The bill received overwhelming support, with a vote of 96-0 in the House and 47-1 in the Senate, before being concurred by the House at 85-11. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Monday. "We will always be in favor and supportive of legislation that ends the suffering of animals and holds people accountable when they do cause unnecessary means of suffering to an animal," Grant County Animal Outreach President Sara Thompson Tweedy said. "We're always going to be in favor of legislation that enables law enforcement to do their job effectively and efficiently to end that suffering." The bill was sponsored by a bipartisan group of representatives, including David Hackney, D-Renton; Sam Low, R-Everett; Alex Ramel, D-San Juan Island; Mari Leavitt, D-University Place; Edwin Obras, D-Renton; Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham; Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds; Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver; Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle; Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland; Darya Farivar, D-Northgate; April Berg, D-Snohomish; Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane; Mary Fosse, D-Everett; Natasha Hill, D-Spokane; and Amy Walen, D-Redmond. HB 1149 expands the definitions and penalties associated with animal cruelty and animal fighting within the state. Under the new provisions, the crimes of animal cruelty and animal fighting have been substantially broadened. For instance, the definition of animal fighting now encompasses those who "aid or abet in the commission of the offense," elevating the seriousness of such activities. Previously classified as an unranked class C felony, animal fighting involving intentional mutilation will now be classified as a class C felony with a seriousness level of IV. "The passage of Engrossed Substitute Bill 1149 allows deputies and animal control officers to provide food and water to an animal during the period officers have to wait before impounding an abused or neglected animal. In the past, that waiting period was 36 hours," Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. "The waiting period is now 24 hours." The bill modifies enforcement restrictions, granting animal control officers and law enforcement the authority to enter premises and seize animals without a warrant when they believe an animal's health or life is in imminent danger. "In the past, it has been an issue where animals are being neglected or abused, there have been situations where we've been concerned about the welfare of an animal, and GCAO has been contacted about that, and our hands are tied," Thompson Tweedy said. "We certainly are dependent upon law enforcement to go and get those animals to safety, and it looks like this bill makes it easier for law enforcement to do that." Additionally, Section 4 of the bill reinforces that a person convicted of animal fighting is permanently prohibited from owning, caring for, or possessing any animal: "Any person convicted of Animal Fighting is permanently prohibited from owning, caring for, possessing, or residing with any animal." Recently, the Moses Lake Police Department's Street Crimes Unit and Tactical Response Team executed a warrant for 10032 Road N.4 NE near Moses Lake. During the execution of the search warrant, SCU detectives seized a cache of evidence that included six firearms, seven ounces of heroin, two ounces of methamphetamine and $30,000 in cash. In addition, authorities documented 71 modified fighting roosters housed on the property, with estimates suggesting the total number of birds could exceed 400, according to MLPD Cpt. Jeff Sursely, the department's public information officer. Six people were arrested in regard to this case. According to Sursely, the nature of the evidence found during the search was unmistakable. "We discovered an arena built into one of the sheds, complete with a gambling board," he said. "This was not a small operation; it covered a large portion of the property and indicated a significant scale of animal fighting activities." This marked the first time that MLPD had dealt with illegal animal fighting of this magnitude, Sursely had said. However, Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman at the Grant County Sheriff's Office said this is not an uncommon crime in Grant County. "Daily reports of animal neglect keep our two animal control deputies busy," Foreman said. However, the department sees fewer cases of animal fighting because it is a crime that is organized, driven by gambling and well-hidden. Foreman said that because of that secrecy, animal fighting cases happen less often, perhaps once a year. "The passage of House Bill 1149 will give animal control officers and deputies broader capabilities when investigating animal neglect and animal fighting," Foreman said. "It also adds the requirement that anyone convicted of animal fighting is permanently prohibited from owning, caring for, possessing, or residing with any animal. If a person who is convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting violates that law, their first violation is a misdemeanor, the second violation is a gross misdemeanor, and the third and subsequent violation is a class C felony." In addressing animal cruelty, the bill expands the criteria under which an individual can be charged. Now, the crime of animal cruelty in the second degree includes situations where a person "willfully instigates, engages in, or in any way furthers any act of animal cruelty." The legislation explicitly reinforces that necessary care for animals includes not just food and water but also essential shelter and medical attention. "I think when there are consequences, that does help, in the sense of people who have a tendency to do these things and then go right back out and get another animal," Thompson Tweedy said. "They might think twice about it now." Thompson Tweedy said GCAO frequently gets animals into the shelter that have been neglected; however, she is hopeful that by legally clarifying the exact care an animal needs, there will be fewer neglected animals — or at least fewer repeat offenders. The bill also introduces clearer definitions regarding the necessary care of animals. It defines "necessary food," "necessary water," "necessary shelter," and other standards to ensure animals receive adequate protection and care while establishing parameters that will not interfere with lawful animal husbandry practices or accepted veterinary medical procedures. "I feel like ... the greater community wants animals to be better taken care of and wants to see people held responsible and accountable to a standard of care that animals should be provided," Thompson Tweedy said. "At GCAO, I feel like we've had more people stepping up to understand some of the issues that we face. If someone doesn't understand that, then I invite them to come out to the shelter to see what we're up against."
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Washington proposal would require bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks
The Brief Lawmakers in Olympia are considering requiring nightclubs, hotels and other places that serve alcohol to sell testing kits for spiked drinks. While proponents say the legislation is important for public safety, some businesses are trying to hit the brakes. The bill is championed in part by a class from Lake Washington High School. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Lawmakers are considering requiring nightclubs, hotels and other places that serve alcohol to sell testing kits for spiked drinks. Proponents say the legislation, championed in part by a class of high schoolers, is important for public safety. Though some businesses are trying to hit the brakes. What they're saying "People should feel safe when they go out to bars and nightclubs," said State Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) "And we know that drink spiking is becoming a very real and serious problem." Heard in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee Monday morning, Senate Bill 5330 would require bars, theaters and other places that serve alcohol to sell drug testing kits for spiked drinks. Dhingra, the prime sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, said the businesses could charge a market-rate price for the strips, stickers or other testing devices. While they would have to put up signs saying tests are available and check that they have not expired, the businesses would not be responsible for a defective test. "This is about just the alarming number in the rise of drug-facilitated rape that we're seeing," Dhingra said. "And I think as a state, I think we have to say that that culture needs to stop." She said a group of Lake Washington High School students in Kirkland pitched the bill to her. The group said they helped make the bill as part of their AP Government class and TVW's Capitol Classroom. "To be here today to speak to senators, have other people even testify in support or raising concerns with our bill – it was so cool to see the process first hand. It was so amazing for us," said Lake Washington senior Kira Ulrich. The students looked to similar legislation that became law in California – though that bill only covered bars and nightclubs. They even called businesses across the state to gauge their interest in the requirements. Why you should care While they are not of legal age to be drinking, the students said sexual assault, whether drug-induced or otherwise, can happen to anyone and have a lasting impact. "We have first-hand accounts of how often this happens and how life-changing it can be," said Lake Washington senior Addie Hafermann. "So it's just absolutely essential that something like this be passed so we can really make people be safe." "We really need to think about the survivors, victims or soon to be victims, and we just really need to do something to be proactive and preventive," Ulrich said. "And a big part of this bill is not only to give patrons some control and protection, but build awareness." An industry group representing restaurants and hotels supports bars being required to sell tests, but expressed concerns about the requirement extending to other businesses. They also spoke about the additional costs for businesses to stock a product they have never sold before and keep track expiration dates. "Businesses that cater to family and children should retain the option to offer these products and post signage about sexual assault," said Julia Gorton with the Washington Hospitality Association. "We look forward to continuing the conversation and aligning the bill with the California approach, but this bill needs many more conversations." Dhingra said she is looking forward to conversations with businesses to iron out concerns on signage and where the requirements apply. But ultimately, where there is a bar, there should be a way to test a drink. "This is really not meant to be onerous, but really meant to be a partnership to make sure all the patrons are safe," she said. "You never know who's around you and by putting in these safety procedures and allowing bars to sell these products to customers will protect everybody in Washington," said Lake Washington senior Ava Brisimitzis. Senate Bill 5330 is scheduled for a committee vote on Friday. The Source Albert James, a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. Las Vegas Raiders hire Pete Carroll as head coach, sources say Renton PD: Son threatens mother, talks about 'demons' before her murder Scammer charged for swindling $14K from 71-year-old WA woman Auburn police officer sentenced for 2019 shooting death of homeless man Cluster of tremors felt near Snoqualmie, WA after 3.5 magnitude earthquake To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX Seattle FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
