HB1755 and SB5649 Restrictions on WA Dog Owners

[huntrights]

Speaking of Dogs in the bear hunting section, is there a way to have your dog accompany you while bear hunting? What if it were a service animal for emotional stability reasons or something?

I believe hounds are still allowed on depredation hunts.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[TWG2A]

You can bet the so-called "Humane Society of the United States" (HSUS) has their hooves all over this legislation.

If you're not familiar with that group of gun-grabbing, anti-hunting fanatics, you can learn more from this (pardon the unintended pun) watchdog site: http://www.humanewatch.org

[huntrights]

I have been told that these bills or something very similar is likely surface again during the next legislative session.  Watch for it and be ready to react.

“2012 2ND SPECIAL SESSION  Apr 11 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.”

Since this legislative session is now over, we appear to have a reprieve.

Take note of who sponsored these Bills when you are casting your votes in the election this year; they will NOT get my vote.

[TWG2A]

It's pretty nice here in Montana that our legislature meets only once every two years, and only for 90 days.  Sure don't miss the billowing firehose in Olympia.

[huntrights]

I have just received some information regarding the legislative process associated with HB1755 and SB5649.  Here is the information I received:
 
“Since the session ended before any action could be taken on either bill they are considered dead bills.  In order for any further action to be taken, a New Bill with a New Number would have to be authored by a Sponsor and introduced at the 2013 legislative session. We will have to watch for a New Bill from  Goodman, Fitzgibbon, Dunshee, Springer, Anderson, Dickerson, Hunt on the House side or Harper, Shin, Murray, Nelson, Pridemore, Chase, Kohl-Welles, Kline on the Senate side. Unless elections change some of these names, they are the most probable culprits to keep an eye on. As a matter of fact, Hans Dunshee is probably the Hunters greatest enemy in Washington.”


I agree with Blackdog and TWG2A; letting our representatives know there is significant opposition to this type invasive and unnecessary legislation may discourage any future support when the pushers of this legislation try to slip it in under the radar again in 2013.  It doesn't hurt to be proactive on issues like this, especially when we believe there is a good chance of it resurfacing in the next session.  By the way, the 2013 legislative session starts in January, so it’s not that far off.

[Rusty II]

Speaking of Dogs in the bear hunting section, is there a way to have your dog accompany you while bear hunting? What if it were a service animal for emotional stability reasons or something?

I believe hounds are still allowed on depredation hunts.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

Negative.

[huntrights]

There are very specific circumstances with specific laws/regulations relating to the use of dogs in hunting black bear and cougar.  Here are some of the related laws:


WAC 232-12-025
Hunts authorized pursuant to RCW 77.12.240.

RCW 77.12.240
Authority to take wildlife — Disposition.

RCW 77.15.245
Unlawful practices — Black bear baiting — Exceptions — Illegal hunting — Use of dogs — Exceptions — Penalties

WAC 232-12-243
Cougar management removals.


Anyhow, watch for any future attempts to introduce a dog tethering law that does nothing but place unjustified and excessive restrictions on all dog owners in our state.


Relevant laws already in place are within these RCW chapters:

Chapter 16.52 RCW
Prevention of cruelty to animals

Chapter 16.08 RCW
Dogs (formerly dangerous dogs)

Chapter 9.08 RCW
Animals, crimes relating to

[huntrights]

Attempts to enact tethering laws are happening around the country. 

http://www.ussportsmen.org/legislative-action/delaware-anti-tethering-bill-introduced/

This appears to be a planned, national attack on dog owners.  Which organizations are pushing this legislation behind the scenes?  I wonder if the sponsors of these bills would be willing to reveal who is pushing this type of extremely restrictive legislation.