Legislation introduced in the state of Washington by State Senator Ann Rivers and State Representative Tina Orwall that creates a new definition of what constitutes “pain and suffering” both have hearings scheduled. Senate Bill 6300 has a hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Thursday, January 30, at 10 a.m. PST in the J.A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 4. House Bill 2317 has also has hearing on the same day in the House Committee on Public Safety at 8 a.m. PST in the John L. O’Brien Building, Hearing Room D.
Take Action Today! Washington sportsmen should contact the members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 6300. Senate Law and Committee members can be reached here:
Pedersen, Jamie (D) Chair |
235 John A. Cherberg Building | (360) 786-7628 |
Dhingra, Manka (D) Vice Chair |
239 John A. Cherberg Building | (360) 786-7672 |
Padden, Mike (R) Ranking Member |
106 Irv Newhouse Building | (360) 786-7606 |
Holy, Jeff (R) | 201 Irv Newhouse Building | (360) 786-7610 |
Kuderer, Patty (D) | 411 Legislative Building | (360) 786-7694 |
Salomon, Jesse (D) | 404 Legislative Building | (360) 786-7662 |
Wilson, Lynda (R) | 110 Irv Newhouse Building | (360) 786-7632 |
The language in SB 6300 defines the “pain and suffering” of an animal to mean, “A state of physical or mental lack of well-being or physical or mental uneasiness that ranges from mild discomfort or dull distress to unbearable agony.” The vague and completely subjective nature of this definition could result in charges against nearly anyone who owns an animal – especially a sporting dog.
A dog that is simply sore after a day in the field could be seen as in mild discomfort or mental uneasiness. Because the definition is so subjective, it nearly guarantees there will be arbitrary enforcement of the law denying dog owners any real ability to know how to comply.
Teaching a puppy to walk on a leash or a dog whining because its owner is not home could be interpreted to be suffering from mental distress. A dog whining because its hips begin to ache as it gets older could be seen as experiencing dull distress. Anyone using an in-ground fence could be guilty of inflicting pain by keeping their dog from running at large. It is not uncommon for working dogs and sporting dogs to sustain minor injuries while carrying out their duties. A minor injury that a sporting dog might encounter would be a thorn stuck in its paw. Even if a dog were provided with veterinary care to treat this minor wound that animal would likely still be in discomfort. Based on the definition of pain and suffering in SB 6300, this common minor injury would fall under their definition of pain and suffering and could subject the owner to criminal charges.
“Animal cruelty law enforcement should be based on factual health issues so that everyone understands the law and has the opportunity to comply,” said Jacob Hupp associate director of state services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Sportsmen are willing to discuss changes to animal-cruelty laws, but that is hard to do when the legislature is moving forward with poorly worded legislation.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.