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Dear AKC Delegates, Club Officers, Judges and Breeders,

Please forward this information to your club members in Washington State.

The Washington State House Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 5501 on Tuesday, March 17th. The measure will make it a class 2 civil infraction (punishable by a fine of up to $125) to “leave or confine any animal unattended in a motor vehicle or enclosed space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation or lack of necessary water.” The measure will allow animal control officers or law enforcement officers to enter the vehicle to remove the animal.

This legislation will give law enforcement and animal control officers the tools they need to address situations in which animals are in danger. It also provides specific protections to those engaged in legal activities such as agriculture, rodeos, farms, parades and hunting.

AKC encourages responsible dog owners to contact the Judiciary Committee members in support of this legislation.

Washington State House Judiciary Committee Hearing

Date: Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
Time: 10 AM
Location: House Hearing Room A, John L. O'Brien Building, Olympia, WA 98504

What You Can Do

  • Attend the committee hearing on February 17th and voice your support for this measure.
  • Comment on the bill using the online for at https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5501.
  • Contact the members of the Judiciary Committee and request their support of SB 5501.

Washington State Judiciary Committee Members

For additional information, please contact the American Kennel Club Government Relations department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.

This legislation will give law enforcement and animal control officers the tools they need to address situations in which animals are in danger.