The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Animal" means all members of the animal kingdom except humans, fish, and insects. However, "animal" does not mean noncaptive wildlife as defined in RCW 77.08.010, except as used in RCW 16.36.050(1) and 16.36.080 (1), (2), (3), and (5).
"Animal reproductive product" means sperm, ova, fertilized ova, and embryos from animals.
"Certificate of veterinary inspection" means a legible veterinary health inspection certificate on an official electronic or paper form from the state of origin or from the animal and plant health inspection service (APHIS) of the United States department of agriculture, executed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian or a veterinarian approved by the animal and plant health inspection service. "Certificate of veterinary inspection" is also known as an "official health certificate."
"Communicable disease" means a disease due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products transmitted from an infected person, animal, or inanimate reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector, or the environment.
"Contagious disease" means a communicable disease that is capable of being easily transmitted from one animal to another animal or a human.
"Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.
"Deputized state veterinarian" means a Washington state licensed and accredited veterinarian appointed and compensated by the director according to state law and department policies.
"Director" means the director of the department or his or her authorized representative.
"Farm-raised fish" means fish raised by aquaculture as defined in RCW 15.85.020. Farm-raised fish are considered to be a part of animal agriculture; however, disease inspection, prevention, and control programs and related activities for farm-raised fish are administered by the department of fish and wildlife under chapter 77.115 RCW.
"Garbage" means the solid animal and vegetable waste and offal together with the natural moisture content resulting from the handling, preparation, or consumption of foods in houses, restaurants, hotels, kitchens, markets, meat shops, packing houses and similar establishments or any other food waste containing meat or meat products.
"Herd or flock plan" means a written management agreement between the owner of a herd or flock and the state veterinarian, with possible input from a private accredited veterinarian designated by the owner and the area veterinarian-in-charge of the United States department of agriculture, animal and plant health inspection service, veterinary services in which each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the herd or flock plan to control the spread of infectious, contagious, or communicable disease within and from an infected herd or flock and to work toward eradicating the disease in the infected herd or flock.
"Hold order" means an order by the director to the owner or agent of the owner of animals or animal reproductive products which restricts the animals or products to a designated holding location pending an investigation by the director of the disease, disease exposure, well-being, movement, or import status of the animals or animal reproductive products.
"Infectious agent" means an organism including viruses, rickettsia, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminthes, or prions that is capable of producing infection or infectious disease.
"Infectious disease" means a clinical disease of humans or animals resulting from an infection with an infectious agent that may or may not be communicable or contagious.
"Livestock" means horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, ratites, poultry, waterfowl, game birds, and other species so designated by statute. "Livestock" does not mean free ranging wildlife as defined in Title 77 RCW.
"Meat processors" means a person licensed to operate a slaughtering establishment under chapter 16.49 RCW or the federal meat inspection act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.).
"Person" means a person, persons, firm, or corporation.
"Quarantine" means the placing and restraining of any animal or its reproductive products by the owner or agent of the owner within a certain described and designated enclosure or area within this state, or the restraining of any animal or its reproductive products from entering this state, as may be directed in an order by the director.
"Reportable disease" means a disease designated by rule by the director as reportable to the department by veterinarians and others made responsible to report by statute.
"Sold" means sale, trade, gift, barter, or any other action that constitutes a change of ownership.
"Veterinary biologic" means any virus, serum, toxin, and analogous product of natural or synthetic origin, or product prepared from any type of genetic engineering, such as diagnostics, antitoxins, vaccines, live microorganisms, killed microorganisms, and the antigenic or immunizing components intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases in animals.
[ 2011 c 204 § 6; 2010 c 66 § 1; 2003 c 39 § 9; 1998 c 8 § 1; 1987 c 163 § 1; 1953 c 17 § 1; ]
The director shall supervise the prevention of the spread and the suppression of infectious, contagious, communicable, and dangerous diseases affecting animals within, in transit through, and imported into the state.
The director may issue a quarantine order and enforce the quarantine of any animal or its reproductive products when any animal or its reproductive products are affected with or have been exposed to disease or when there is reasonable cause to investigate whether any animal or its reproductive products are affected with or have been exposed to disease, either within or outside the state. Overt disease or exposure to disease in any animal or its reproductive products need not be immediately obvious for a quarantine order to be issued or enforced. The quarantine shall remain in effect as long as the director deems necessary.
The director may issue a hold order when:
Overt disease or exposure to disease in an animal is not immediately obvious but there is reasonable cause to investigate whether an animal is diseased or has been exposed to disease;
Import health papers, permits, or other transportation documents required by law or rule are not complete or are suspected to be fraudulent; or
Further transport of an animal would jeopardize the well-being of the animal or other animals in Washington state.
A hold order is in effect for fourteen days and expires when released by the director or no later than midnight on the fourteenth day from the date of the hold order. A hold order may be replaced with a quarantine order for the purpose of animal disease control.
Any animal or animal reproductive product placed under a quarantine or hold order shall be kept separate and apart from other animals designated in the instructions of the quarantine or hold order, and shall not be allowed to have anything in common with other animals.
The expenses of handling and caring for any animal or animal reproductive product placed under a quarantine or hold order are the responsibility of the owner.
The director has authority over the quarantine or hold area until the quarantine or hold order is released or the hold order expires.
Any animal or animal reproductive product placed under a quarantine or hold order may not be moved, transported, or sold without written approval from the director or until the quarantine or hold order is released, or the hold order expires.
The director may administer oaths and examine witnesses and records in the performance of his or her duties to control diseases affecting animals.
[ 2007 c 71 § 5; 2004 c 251 § 1; 1998 c 8 § 2; 1927 c 165 § 2; RRS § 3111; 1915 c 100 § 6, part; 1903 c 26 § 2, part; ]
The director shall enforce the provisions of this chapter pertaining to garbage feeding.
The director has the authority to regulate the sale, distribution, and use of veterinary biologics in the state and may adopt rules to restrict the sale, distribution, or use of any veterinary biologic in any manner necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and the state's animal population.
The director has the authority to license and regulate the activities of veterinary laboratories that do not have a veterinarian licensed under chapter 18.92 RCW present within the management or staff of the veterinary laboratory. The director may adopt rules to regulate these laboratories in any manner necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and the public's animals.
The director may adopt rules establishing fees for:
The establishment and inspection of animal holding facilities authorized under this chapter;
The inspection and monitoring of animals in authorized animal holding facilities; and
Special inspections of animals or animal facilities that the director may provide at the request of the animal owner or interested persons.
The fees shall, as closely as practicable, cover the cost of the service provided.
All fees collected under this section shall be deposited in an account in the agricultural local fund and used to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
[ 2008 c 285 § 28; ]
The director may collect moneys to recover the reasonable costs of purchasing, printing, and distributing official individual identification devices or methods, regulatory forms, and other supplies.
In addition to the costs identified in subsection (1) of this section, the director may also collect moneys to recover the reasonable costs associated with the data entry and processing related to animal health documents that facilitate disease control and traceability.
All funds received under this section must be deposited in the animal disease traceability account in the agricultural local fund created in RCW 43.23.230 to cover the costs associated with this chapter.
[ 2013 c 45 § 1; 2011 c 204 § 1; 1998 c 8 § 19; ]
The director may adopt and enforce rules necessary to carry out the purpose and provisions of this chapter, and including:
Preventing the introduction or spreading of infectious, contagious, communicable, or dangerous diseases affecting animals in this state;
Governing the inspection and testing of all animals within or about to be imported into this state;
Designating any disease as a reportable disease; and
Designating when a certificate of veterinary inspection, import health papers, permits, or other transportation documents required by law or rule must designate a destination with a physical address for animals entering Washington and when those animals must be delivered or transported directly to the physical address of that destination.
Rules to prevent the introduction or spread of infectious, contagious, communicable, or dangerous diseases affecting animals in this state may differ from federal regulations by being more restrictive.
[ 2011 c 204 § 8; 1998 c 8 § 4; 1979 c 154 § 10; 1947 c 172 § 3; 1927 c 165 § 4; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3113; 1915 c 100 § 4; 1901 c 112 § 2; 1895 c 167 § 2; ]
The director may establish points of inspection for vehicles transporting animals on the public roads of this state to determine if the animals being transported are accompanied by valid health certificates, permits, or other documents as required by this chapter or its rules. Vehicles transporting animals on the public roads of this state are subject to inspection and must stop at any posted inspection point established by the director, with emphasis on livestock being brought in from outside the state. The director or appointed officers are authorized to stop a vehicle transporting animals upon the public roads of this state at a place other than an inspection point if there is reasonable cause to believe the animals are being transported in violation of this chapter or its rules.
[ 2007 c 71 § 1; ]
It is unlawful for a person to bring an animal into Washington state without first securing a certificate of veterinary inspection, reviewed by the state veterinarian of the state of origin, verifying that the animal meets the Washington state animal health requirements. This subsection does not apply to:
Those animals that qualify for an exemption in RCW 16.36.140; or
Other animals exempted by the director by rule.
For animals imported into Washington it is unlawful for a person to transport or deliver an animal to any physical address other than the physical address of the destination designated by a certificate of veterinary inspection, import health papers, permits, or other transportation documents required by law or rule. The director may exempt animals from this requirement by rule.
It is unlawful for a person to intentionally falsely make, complete, alter, use, or sign a certificate of veterinary inspection or official animal health document of the department.
It is unlawful for a person to intentionally falsely apply, alter, or remove an official animal health or official animal identification tag, permanent mark, or other device.
It is unlawful for a person to willfully hinder, obstruct, or resist the director, or any peace officer or deputized state veterinarian acting under him or her, when engaged in the performance of their duties.
It is unlawful for a person to willfully fail to comply with or to violate any rule or order adopted by the director under this chapter.
[ 2011 c 204 § 9; 2010 c 66 § 2; 2007 c 71 § 2; 1998 c 8 § 5; 1979 c 154 § 11; 1947 c 172 § 4; 1927 c 165 § 5; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3114; 1915 c 100 § 7; 1905 c 169 § 1; 1903 c 125 § 1; ]
The director has the authority to enter a property at any reasonable time to:
Conduct tests, examinations, or inspections to take samples, and to examine and copy records when there is reasonable cause to investigate whether animals on the property or that have been on the property are infected with or have been exposed to disease; and
Determine, when there is reasonable cause to investigate, whether animals on the property have been imported into Washington state in violation of requirements of this chapter, and to conduct tests, examinations, and inspections, take samples, and examine and copy records during such investigations.
It is unlawful for any person to interfere with investigations, tests, inspections, or examinations, or to alter any segregation or identification systems made in connection with tests, inspections, or examinations conducted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
If the director is denied access to a property or animals for purposes of this chapter, or a person fails to comply with an order of the director, the director may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant. To show that access is denied, the director shall file with the court an affidavit or declaration containing a description of all attempts to notify and locate the owner or owner's agent and secure consent. The court may issue a search warrant authorizing access to any animal or property at reasonable times to conduct investigations, tests, inspections, or examinations of any animal or property, or to take samples, and examine and copy records, and may authorize seizure or destruction of property.
[ 2011 c 204 § 10; 2010 c 66 § 4; 2004 c 251 § 2; 1998 c 8 § 6; 1985 c 415 § 2; 1979 c 154 § 12; 1947 c 172 § 5; 1927 c 165 § 6; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3115; 1895 c 167 § 3; ]
When any local governing body notifies the director of the presence or probable danger of infection from any animal diseases, the director, state veterinarian, or a deputized state veterinarian shall respond immediately and take appropriate action. In case of an emergency, the director may appoint deputies or assistants with equal power to act.
[ 1998 c 8 § 7; 1947 c 172 § 6; 1927 c 165 § 7; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3116; 1895 c 167 § 4; ]
Any person licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry in this state, veterinary laboratories, and others designated by this chapter shall immediately report in writing or by telephone, facsimile, or electronic mail to the director the existence or suspected existence of any reportable disease among animals within the state.
Persons using their own diagnostic services must report any reportable disease among animals within the state to the director.
The director shall investigate and/or maintain records of all cases of reportable diseases among animals within this state.
The director may require appropriate treatment of any animal affected with, suspected of being affected with, or that has been exposed to any reportable disease. The owner may dispose of the animal rather than treating the animal as required by the director.
It is unlawful for any person to import any animal infected with or exposed to a reportable disease without a permit from the director.
[ 1998 c 8 § 8; 1947 c 172 § 7; 1927 c 165 § 8; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3117; ]
It is unlawful for any person to sell, exchange, or give away any animal that he or she knows:
Is infected with any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease;
Has been exposed to any contagious, communicable, or infectious disease within the previous thirty days; or
Has been treated for any condition within the previous thirty days;
without notifying the purchaser or person taking possession of the animal of the infection, exposure, or treatment unless the legal withdrawal period for any treatment has been met or exceeded.
It is unlawful for any owner or person in possession of any animal having any contagious, communicable, or infectious disease to knowingly:
Turn out the animal onto enclosed lands adjoining the enclosed lands of another that are kept for pasture or otherwise used for raising animals without notifying the owner of the enclosed lands; or
Stable the animal or allow the animal to be stabled in any barn with other animals without notifying the other owners.
[ 1998 c 8 § 14; 1927 c 165 § 26; RRS § 3135; See Reviser's note to RCW 16.44.020; ]
Any person owning or having in his or her control any livestock which become infected with scrapie or another transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or which have been exposed to such disease, shall immediately report the disease or exposure to the director. It is unlawful for any person to fail to report or to attempt to conceal the existence of any such disease.
[ 1998 c 8 § 15; 1927 c 165 § 28; RRS § 3137; See Reviser's note to RCW 16.44.020; ]
When any livestock affected with any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease mingle with any healthy livestock belonging to another person, through the fault or negligence of the owner of the diseased livestock or his or her agent, the owner is liable for all damages sustained by the owner of the healthy livestock.
[ 1998 c 8 § 16; 1927 c 165 § 32; RRS § 3141; See Reviser's note to RCW 16.44.020; ]
When public welfare demands, the director may order the slaughter or destruction of any animal affected with or exposed to any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease that is affecting or may affect the health of the state's animal population. The director may order destruction of any animal held under quarantine when public welfare demands or the owner of the animal fails or refuses to follow a herd or flock plan. The director shall give a written order directing an animal be destroyed by or under the direction of the state veterinarian.
[ 2004 c 251 § 3; 1998 c 8 § 9; 1985 c 415 § 3; 1979 c 154 § 13; 1947 c 172 § 8; 1927 c 165 § 9; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 3118; 1901 c 112 § 3, part; 1895 c 167 § 5, part; ]
In ordering the slaughter or destruction of any animal, the director may pay an indemnity in an amount not to exceed seventy-five percent of the appraised or salvage value of the animal ordered slaughtered or destroyed. The actual indemnity amount shall be established by the director by rule. Payment of indemnity does not apply to an animal: (1) Belonging to the federal government or any of its agencies, this state or any of its agencies, or any municipal corporation; or (2) that has been brought into this state in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter.
[ 1998 c 8 § 10; 1985 c 415 § 4; 1963 ex.s. c 8 § 1; ]
Any person whose animal or animal reproductive products are placed under a quarantine, a hold order, or destruct order under RCW 16.36.090 may request a hearing. The request for a hearing must be in writing and filed with the director. Any hearing will be held in conformance with RCW 34.05.422 and 34.05.479.
[ 2004 c 251 § 4; 1998 c 8 § 17; ]
The director is authorized to cooperate with and enter into agreements with governmental agencies of this state, other states, and agencies of federal government in order to carry out the purpose and provisions of this chapter and to promote consistency of regulation.
[ 1998 c 8 § 11; 1927 c 165 § 10; RRS § 3119; 1901 c 112 § 3, part; 1895 c 167 § 5, part; ]
Every person owning or having in charge any livestock that has died because of disease shall dispose of the carcass within a time frame and in a manner prescribed in rule by the director, which may include, but is not limited to, burial, composting, incinerating, landfilling, natural decomposition, or rendering. Any livestock found dead from an unknown cause is presumed to have died because of disease.
[ 2006 c 155 § 1; 1949 c 100 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 3142-2; ]
Feeding garbage to swine
is prohibited.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Each day upon which a violation occurs constitutes a separate violation.
The director may bring an action to enjoin the violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter in the superior court of Thurston county or of the county in which such violation occurs notwithstanding the existence of other remedies at law.
The director may deny, revoke, or suspend any license issued under this chapter for any failure or refusal to comply with this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. Upon notice by the director to deny, revoke, or suspend a license, a person may request a hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW.
[ 1998 c 8 § 13; 1989 c 354 § 35; 1981 c 296 § 14; 1957 c 22 § 5; 1953 c 17 § 8; 1927 c 165 § 33; RRS § 3142; ]
Any person in violation of this chapter or its rules may be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation. Each violation is a separate and distinct offense. Every person who, through an act of commission or omission, procures, aids, or abets in the violation is in violation of this chapter or its rules and may be subject to the civil penalty provided in this section. Moneys collected under this section must be deposited in the state general fund.
The department may charge a time and mileage fee for the cost of an investigation including inspecting animals and related records during an investigation of a proven violation of this chapter. The fee may be up to eighty-five dollars per hour and the current mileage rate set by the office of financial management. The director may increase the hourly fee by rule as necessary to cover costs of investigations. All fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in an account in the agricultural local fund and used to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
[ 2011 c 204 § 11; 2007 c 71 § 4; ]
Any person found transporting animals on the public roads of this state that are not accompanied by valid health certificates, permits, or other documents as required by this chapter or its rules has committed a class 1 civil infraction.
Any person who knowingly transports or accepts delivery of live nonambulatory livestock to, from, or between any livestock market, feedlot, slaughtering facility, or similar facility that trades in livestock has committed a civil infraction and shall be assessed a monetary penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars. The transport or acceptance of each nonambulatory livestock animal is considered a separate and distinct violation. Livestock that was ambulatory prior to transport to a feedlot and becomes nonambulatory because of an injury sustained during transport may be unloaded and placed in a separate pen for rehabilitation at the feedlot. For the purposes of this section, "nonambulatory livestock" has the same meaning as in RCW 16.52.225.
The director is authorized to issue notices of and enforce civil infractions in the manner prescribed under chapter 7.80 RCW.
[ 2009 c 347 § 1; 2007 c 71 § 3; ]
Certain animals defined in this chapter as livestock or animal may also meet the definition of wildlife contained in Title 77 RCW. This chapter does not allow importation, possession, or uses of animals that are in violation of Title 77 RCW or the rules adopted under that title, nor does it relieve the owners or possessors of wildlife from full compliance with the requirements of Title 77 RCW or the rules adopted under that title. Rules adopted by the director shall not allow importation, possession, or uses of animals that are in violation of Title 77 RCW or the rules adopted under that title.
[ 1998 c 8 § 18; ]
It is unlawful for a person to bring an animal into Washington state without first securing a certificate of veterinary inspection, reviewed by the state veterinarian of the state of origin, verifying that the animal meets Washington state animal health requirements. This subsection does not apply to animals that:
Have been exempted by the director by rule; or
Will be delivered within twelve hours after entry into Washington state to:
A federally inspected slaughter plant; or
A licensed public livestock market for sale and subsequent delivery within twelve hours to a federally inspected slaughter plant.
The director may monitor animals entering Washington state. Persons importing, transporting, receiving, feeding, or housing imported animals shall:
Comply with the requirement and any exemptions specified in subsection (1) of this section; and
Make the animal and related records available for inspection by the director.
The director may adopt and enforce rules necessary to carry out the purpose and provisions of this section.
[ 2018 c 281 § 1; 2011 c 204 § 12; 2010 c 66 § 3; ]
The director shall adopt by rule a fee per head on cattle sold or slaughtered in the state or transported out of the state to administer animal disease traceability activities for cattle. The fee must be paid by:
Sellers of cattle sold in the state, without exception;
Owners of cattle that are transported out of Washington, unless an exception is provided by rule; and
Owners of cattle slaughtered in the state.
The fee adopted by the department may not exceed forty cents per head of cattle.
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Except where the seller presents proof that the fee has been paid by a meat processor under (c) of this subsection, the fee required in this section must be paid by the owner of cattle receiving a livestock inspection issued by the department under chapter 16.57 RCW in the same manner as livestock inspection fees are collected under RCW 16.57.220.
The fee required in this section must be paid from the owner of cattle not receiving a livestock inspection issued by the department under chapter 16.57 RCW by the fifteenth day of the month following the month the sale or transportation out-of-state occurred, or at a different time as designated by rule.
When cattle are slaughtered, the fee required by this section must be collected from the seller of the cattle by the meat processor. The meat processor must transmit the fee to the department by the fifteenth day of the month following the month the transaction occurred, or at a different time as designated by rule. When cattle owned by a meat processor are slaughtered, the fee must be paid by the meat processor.
All fees received by the department under this section must be deposited in the animal disease traceability account in the agricultural local fund created in RCW 43.23.230 to carry out animal disease traceability activities for cattle and to compensate the livestock identification program for data and fee collection.
Any person failing to pay the fee established in this section has committed a class 1 civil infraction punishable as provided in RCW 7.80.120. Each violation is a separate and distinct offense.
[ 2011 c 204 § 2; ]
By December 1st of each year, the department shall submit an activity report and financial statement on the implementation of the animal disease traceability activities to the animal disease traceability advisory committee created in *section 5 of this act.
[ 2011 c 204 § 3; ]