(1) Principles of liability as defined in chapter 9A.08 RCW apply to this chapter.

     (2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (a) "Abandons" means the knowing or reckless desertion of an animal by its owner or the causing of the animal to be deserted by its owner, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care.

     (b) "Animal" means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian.

     (c) "Animal care and control agency" means any city or county animal control agency or authority authorized to enforce city or county municipal ordinances regulating the care, control, licensing, or treatment of animals within the city or county, and any corporation organized under RCW 16.52.020 that contracts with a city or county to enforce the city or county ordinances governing animal care and control.

     (d) "Animal control officer" means any individual employed, contracted, or appointed pursuant to RCW 16.52.025 by an animal care and control agency or humane society to aid in the enforcement of ordinances or laws regulating the care and control of animals. For purposes of this chapter, the term "animal control officer" shall be interpreted to include "humane officer" as defined in (f) of this subsection and RCW 16.52.025.

     (e) "Euthanasia" means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death, or by a method that causes painless loss of consciousness, and death during the loss of consciousness.

     (f) "Humane officer" means any individual employed, contracted, or appointed by an animal care and control agency or humane society as authorized under RCW 16.52.025.

     (g) "Law enforcement agency" means a general authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020.

     (h) "Necessary food" means the provision at suitable intervals of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the animal's age and species and sufficient to provide a reasonable level of nutrition for the animal.

     (i) "Owner" means a person who has a right, claim, title, legal share, or right of possession to an animal or a person having lawful control, custody, or possession of an animal.

     (j) "Person" means individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, or other legal entities, and agents of those entities.

     (k) "Substantial bodily harm" means substantial bodily harm as defined in RCW 9A.04.110.

[2007 c 376 § 2; 1994 c 261 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- Intent -- 1994 c 261: "The legislature finds there is a need to modernize the law on animal cruelty to more appropriately address the nature of the offense. It is not the intent of this act to remove or decrease any of the exemptions from the statutes on animal cruelty that now apply to customary animal husbandry practices, state game or fish laws, rodeos, fairs under chapter 15.76 RCW, or medical research otherwise authorized under federal or state law. It is the intent of this act to require the enforcement of chapter 16.52 RCW by persons who are accountable to elected officials at the local and state level." [1994 c 261 § 1.]