Stricter Animal Cruelty Standards Take Effect on July 27, 2025

What Does This Mean for Seattle?

Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law ESHB* 1149 and it will go into effect on July 27, 2025. This new law will broaden the scope of criminal offenses and penalties associated with animal fighting and cruelty.

Let’s look at what this means for Seattle’s animals.

What does ESHB 1149 do?

ESHB 1149 is an important bill. Many thanks to Representatives David Hackey and Sam Low for sponsoring it. 

Here are the most significant changes:

1. New definitions for animal care standards. It provides more specific definitions of the following terms:

• Necessary food

• Necessary medical attention

• Necessary sanitation

• Necessary shelter

• Necessary space

• Necessary water

2. Increased authority given to law enforcement and animal control officers. They can enter premises without a warrant if there is probable cause that the animal is suffering or in imminent danger. If an investigating officer finds it extremely difficult to supply confined animals with food and water, the officer may remove the animals to protective custody for that purpose.
   

3. Prohibiting convicted abusers from owning animals. The new law will permanently prohibit individuals convicted of first degree animal cruelty or animal fighting from owning or residing with animals. 

4. Applying class C felony charges to animal fighting. Those found guilty of animal fighting will face a class C felony charge resulting in up to five years in prison. A class C felony is considered a serious crime.

What does this mean for Seattle’s animals?

• Seattle Animal Shelter’s field officers will now have clearer definitions for determining whether an animal is receiving necessary care from their humans. This will help them in assessing the validity of the increasing number of cruelty/neglect complaints they are receiving.

• Field officers and law enforcement can enter premises without a warrant if there is probable cause. This could save precious time for rescuing an animal that is suffering or in danger. This alone could save lives.

• Permanent banning of first degree convicted animal abusers from owning animals or residing with animals is critical. While still a challenge to enforce, there will be a legal basis to hold offenders accountable for the rest of their lives even if they move from Seattle.

• Animal fighting is now a Class C felony. While animal fighting is not common in Seattle, there were three dogfighting complaints in 2021 and one in 2022. There was one cockfighting complaint in 2019 and one in 2021.

Keep In Mind….

The Seattle Animal Shelter does not prosecute animal cruelty or neglect. Officers gather evidence and present a case to the City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney makes the decision to pursue the case. They will prosecute misdemeanors but felony cases are referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Legal accountability for animal cruelty and neglect will only occur at the discretion of the courts.

*ESHB stands for Engrossed Substitute House Bill. This means that the Legislature amended and revised the original bill before finally passing it.

Sources:

• https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/washington-state-updates-animal-cruelty-laws-with-stricter-penalties/article_21745674-7ccd-4c9f-8e8a-6bf06bbb0edf.html

• https://www.pasadosafehaven.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HB-1149-One-Pager_1.10.25.pdf 

• https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1149-S.E.pdf?q=20250512220115