Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9.08.070 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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(1) Any person who, with intent to deprive or defraud the owner thereof, does any of the following shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW and, for adult offenders, a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars per pet animal shall be imposed, except as provided by subsection (2) of this section:

(a) Takes, leads away, confines, secretes or converts any pet animal, except in cases in which the value of the pet animal exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars;

(b) Conceals the identity of any pet animal or its owner by obscuring, altering, or removing from the pet animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other identifying device or mark;

(2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from also being convicted of separate offenses under RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, or 9A.56.050 for theft, under RCW 9A.56.150, 9A.56.160, or 9A.56.170 for possession of stolen property, or under chapter 16.52 RCW for animal cruelty.

[ 2015 c 265 s 10; 2015 c 235 s 5; 2003 c 53 s 9; 1989 c 359 s 2; 1982 c 114 s 1.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2015 c 235 s 5 and by 2015 c 265 s 10, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Finding—Intent—2015 c 265: See note following RCW 13.50.010.

Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.

Application of Consumer Protection Act: RCW 19.86.145.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2000–2021 · leading case: State v. Paulson, 131 Wash. App. 579 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).

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State v. Paulson, 131 Wash. App. 579 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “200(6) states: As a condition of the sentence imposed under this chapter or RCW 9.08.070 through 9.08.078, the court may also order the defendant to participate in an available animal cruelty prevention or education program or obtain available psychological counseling to treat…”

State v. Long, 991 P.2d 102 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 3× “On March 7, 1996, the State charged Long with a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly killing “any” pet animal, see RCW 9.08.070(1)(c); he pleaded not guilty.”

State v. Paulson, 128 P.3d 133 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “200(6) states: As a condition of the sentence imposed under this chapter or RCW 9.08.070 through 9.08.078, the court may also order the defendant to participate in an available animal cruelty prevention or education program or obtain available psychological counseling to treat…”

In Re The Petition To Convene A Grand Jury, Barnes Michael Ware, 420 P.3d 1083 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “7 Under RCW 9.08.070 (1)(c), a person is guilty of taking, concealing, injuring, killing a pet animal if he or she “[w]illfully or recklessly kills or injures any pet animal, unless excused by law.”

State Of Washington v. Charmarke Abdi-issa (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “090 (first, second, and third degree malicious mischief); RCW 9.08.070 (intent to defraud owner of a pet is a gross misdemeanor).”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.08.070(1)(c) — 1 case

State v. Long, 991 P.2d 102 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “On March 7, 1996, the State charged Long with a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly killing “any” pet animal, see RCW 9.08.070(1)(c); he pleaded not guilty.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 9.08.070(l)(c) — 1 case

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