Animal law is a broad area of law covering everything from dog bites to fur farming.  This guide recommends various print and internet animal law resources available at the King County Law Library.  Though the focus of this guide is Washington State animal law, federal law animal law is also referenced.

When you start your research, it may be helpful to look at some general background information.  The following sources are great tools that are available online.

1.  Animal Law:  A Selective Bibliography and Research Guide, Gonzaga University School of Law Library (Jan. 2005).  Provides an overview of animal law and includes references to animal law related federal agencies, federal laws and regulations, significant cases, Washington State codes, as well as other selected sources.  Contains many Washington State references. 

2.  LawForWa, Animal and Pet Law, (last visited August 22, 2007).  Provides general information on animal law as well as information on animal welfare, dangerous dogs and injuries caused by pets, endangered species, estate planning, landlord/tenant issues, nuisance, purchasing, and travel.  Contains many Washington State references. [Click on Advanced Search from the www.lawforwa.org, select Animal and Pet Law from the Topic list and click on Search.]

3.  Animal Law, Georgetown University Law Center (Dec. 2006).  Provides references to several animal law books, journals, websites, laws and legislation, research guides, and current awareness issues.  Does not contain Washington State specific references, but is useful to acquaint user with animal law.

4.  Animal Law:  A Guide to Federal and Massachusetts Resources, Suffolk University Law School (June 2006).  Provides references to several animal law websites, federal legislation, federal statutes, law review articles, Supreme Court cases, Federal Circuit cases, and treatises. Does not contain Washington State specific references, but is useful to acquaint user with animal law.

After gathering some background information, you may want to examine Washington State law and your local law. The Revised Code of Washington, the Washington Administrative Code, the King County Code, and the Seattle Municipal Code are available online or in print at the King County Law Library. An online website for other Washington State County Codes and City Codes is also listed below.

A. Revised Code of Washington

1.  Title 16:  Animals and Livestock      
Wash. Rev. Code §§ 16.04 – 16.72 (2006),

B. Washington Administrative Code

1.  Title 16:  Animals and Agriculture
Wash. Admin. Code §§ 16-05 – 16-752 (2006).
                                                    
2.  Title 220:  Fish and Wildlife, Department of Fisheries
Wash. Admin. Code §§ 220-12 – 220-140 (2006).

3.  Title 232:  Fish and Wildlife, Department of Wildlife
Wash. Admin. Code §§ 232-12 – 232-28 (2006).

C. King County Code

1.  Title 11:  Animal Care and Control
King Co. Code §§ 11.02 – 11.32 (2007).

2.  Other Washington State County Codes.

D. Seattle Municipal Code

1.  Title 9:  Animals
Seattle WA. Code §§ 9.12 – 9.26 (2006).

2.  Other Washington State City Codes.

Secondary Law Sources

Next, you may want to look at the animal law print sources that are available in the King County Law Library.  The first five sources listed below are Washington State Continuing Legal Education materials that pertain specifically to Washington State animal law.  The last two sources are legal guides that discuss animal law as it relates to several states.

1.  Animal law:  A bird's eye view / program chair, Adam P. Karp; program faculty, Harish Bharti … [et. al.]. [Seattle, Wash.] :  Washington State Bar Association, c2003.  Includes information on a variety of topics such as animal-based criminal law, animal issues in family law, contracting animal law, and exotic animal ownership.  (KF 390.5 .A5 A55 2003).

2.  Animal law:  Meeting standards of care preventing and defending against veterinary malpractice; plus, dangerous dogs / program chairs, Kim Kamel … [et al.]; program faculty, Melissa Burke-Cain … [et al.]. [Spokane, Wash.]:  Washington State Bar Association, c2005.  Includes information on regulations that govern veterinarians and veterinary assistants, department of health licensing violations, investigating and prosecuting animal abuse cases, dangerous dog laws, and implied causes of action and civil animal cruelty litigation.  (KF 390.5 .A5 A55 2005).

3.  4th Annual Animal Law Conference / program chair, Adam P. Karp; program faculty, David W. Babcock … [et al.].  [Seattle, Wash.]:  Washington State Bar Association, c2006.  Includes information on a variety of topics such as landlord-tenant animal laws, dogbites, and animal law in times of crisis.  (KF 390.5 .A5 A56 2006).

4.  3rd  Annual Animal Law Conference / program chairs, Cheryl Mitchell … [et al.]; program faculty, Carter Dillard … [et al.].  [Seattle, Wash.]:  Washington State Bar Association, c2005.  Includes information on a variety of topics such as Washington State animal law and public health and safety issues, the animal law legislation process, and an animal law case law update.  (KF 390.5 .A5 A56 2005).

5.  2nd  Annual Animal Law Conference / program chairs, Adam P. Karp … [et al.]; program faculty, Valerie Bittner … [et al.].  [Seattle, Wash.]:  Washington State Bar Association, c2004.  Includes information on a variety of topics veterinary malpractice, service and therapy animal issues, and PETA’s legal work on animal cruelty.  (KF 390.5 .A5 A56 2004).

6. Cora Jordan, Neighbor Law:  Fences, Trees, Boundaries, and Noise (Jennifer Wedel ed., Nolo Press 2006).  Chapter 17 discusses common neighbor disputes, including animal problems.  Specifically, it addresses noise, leash laws, pooper-scooper laws, number of animals, types of animals, and licenses and special permits.  (KF 639 .Z9 J67 2006).

7.  Mary Randolph, Dog Law (Ralph Warner & Barbara Kate Repa eds., Nolo Press 1997).  This book answers many common questions regarding dog law.  Topics include state and local regulations, buying and selling dogs, landlords and dogs, barking dogs, dog bites, dangerous dogs and pit bulls, and cruelty.  (KF 390.5 .D6 R36 1997).

Helpful Information on the Internet

The internet sources listed below may help you find and further understand animal law in Washington State and in other states.

1.  Washington State Bar Association, Animal Law Section.  This website provides the goals of the animal law section of the Washington State Bar Association and provides contact information for the section chair.

2.  International Institute for Animal Law.  This website allows you to search for federal or state laws or legislation.  You can limit your search by selecting any of the listed categories or by entering specific key words.  You can also search for specific legislation by bill number and for specific laws by citation.  This site is a great source for accessing and comparing laws and legislation from several states.  

3.  Michigan State University College of Law: Animal Legal and Historical Web Center.
This website allows you to search for both federal and state laws and cases by jurisdiction, subject, or species.  You can also search for information by topic.  A topic search will provide you with a brief overview of the topic and may also provide you with a chart of all state laws that pertain to that topic.  Treaties and animal law for select countries is also available.  This is a great comprehensive site that allows you several search options to find the information you are looking for. 

Contact Information

If you have any questions about animal welfare in general, you may want to contact the following organizations:

1. Humane Society for Seattle/King County

The Humane Society for Seattle/King County is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing people and pets together. This organization offers many services including workshops, and community outreach.

The Humane Society for Seattle/King County
13212 SE Eastgate Way
Bellevue, WA 98005-4408
Phone: (425)641-0080
Fax: (425)747-2985
Email: humane@seattlehumane.org

2. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The ASPCA was established to alleviate animal cruelty. This website lists federal and state legislative actions, provides expert pet care advice, and discusses ways to prevent animal cruelty.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128-6804
Phone: (212) 876-7700