Title 16. Animals and Livestock. Chapter 16.08. Dogs. 16.08.040. Dog bites—Liability and Dangerous dogs and related provisions.
Citation: WA ST 16.08.010 - WA ST 16.08.100
Citation: West's RCWA 16.08.010 - West's RCWA 16.08.100
Summary:
This Washington statute outlines the state's dangerous dog laws. Under the law, the owner or keeper of any dog shall be liable to the owner of any animal killed or injured by such dog for the amount of damages sustained in a civil action. Further, there is strict liability for the owner of any dog that bites any person while in a public place or lawfully on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. However, proof of provocation of the attack by the injured person shall be a complete defense to an action for damages. The statute also has a livestock chasing provision, which makes it lawful for any person who shall see any dog or dogs chasing, biting, injuring or killing any sheep, swine or other domestic animal, including poultry, belonging to such person, to kill such dog. The statute further defines both dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dog, and provides the requisite registration and insurance requirements for such dogs.
