HB 1046 Would Ban WDFW and Other Agencies from Using Dogs to Take Bear & Cougar

[bigtex]

The 2019 WA legislative session doesn't start till January but bills are already being filed by legislators.

WA's law on using dogs to assist in the aid of hunting has several exceptions including the following:

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the killing of black bear, cougar, bobcat, or lynx with the aid of a dog or dogs by employees or agents of county, state, or federal agencies while acting in their official capacities for the purpose of protecting livestock, domestic animals, private property, or the public safety. A dog or dogs may be used by the owner or tenant of real property consistent with a permit issued and conditioned by the director.

Essentially put, when a cougar attacks a biker WDFW can call in a houndsmen to assist with the killing of the cougar.

Rep. Appleton has sponsored HB 1046 which would eliminate this exception, essentially meaning even the government couldn't use dogs.

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1046.pdf

[bigtex]

Ok so who is backing this Appleton character. One of his financial backers or constituents must be a leaf licker

Rep Appleton....

[Houndhunter]

Not good

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Bigtex. I read the linked Bill and to me it doesn't look like it bans the use of dogs by government entities as much as it severely limits the legal justifications for using dogs. Not that that is much better.

It sure gets tiring having people who don't understand an issue making up laws concerning that issue.

[bigtex]

Bigtex. I read the linked Bill and to me it doesn't look like it bans the use of dogs by government entities as much as it severely limits the legal justifications for using dogs. Not that that is much better.

It sure gets tiring having people who don't understand an issue making up laws concerning that issue.

It removes the section I included in my original post. Officers could no longer use houndsmens after attacks or near attacks. The other exemptions (for research, etc.) remain intact.

[Mudman]

Well doesn't that eliminate K=9 Police from hunting down human animals as well?  Will somebody sue to do this?  Not good.

[Bob33]

Total BS. They would not have been able to capture the cougar that attacked the bikers if this were law.

[Skyvalhunter]

I contacted this Appleton to see what her rationale or lack of is.

[BULLBLASTER]

Could this work in favor of some sort of public hunting with dogs? If the gov wants to do that they have to allow the public to also?

Just a thought

[Skyvalhunter]

One must know this bill is sponsored by a Democratic representative

[bornhunter]

One step away from anyone using dogs to pursue any animal. Next up, no more bird hunting with your pooch!

[chukarchaser]

Kitsap county. 23 district

[WAcoyotehunter]

Unreal.  We need to kill this bill quickly.

[WAcoyotehunter]

This explains more

[CementFinisher]

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