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Seattle Animal Control Ordinances

Chapter 9.25 ANIMAL CONTROL

9.25.054 Guard or attack dog license--Proof of insurance--Posting notice and license.

9.25.083 Owning dangerous animals prohibited--Exception.

9.25.084 Offenses relating to control.

9.25.054 Guard or attack dog license--Proof of insurance--Posting notice and license.

A. No person shall use or harbor a guard or attack dog without first obtaining a guard or attack dog license therefor.

B. The applicant for a guard or attack dog license shall provide the following information:

1. The name and address of the owner of the guard or attack dog, a description of the dog, and the address and business name (if any) of the premises the dog will guard;

2. The name and address of the trainer of the guard or attack dog, and the name and address of the purveyor of the dog;

3. Proof of a policy of public liability insurance, such as homeowner's insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to do business in the State of Washington in an amount of at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), insuring the owner on account of any liability for claims for death or personal injury inflicted by the guard or attack dog to any person;

4. Proof of microchip identification, microchip number and identification of the date and location of microchip implant; and

5. Such other information as the Director may reasonably require.

C. The applicant shall certify that:

1. The premises the dog will guard are adequately secured for the safety of the public;

2. Signs are displayed on the premises at all entrances and at thirty (30) foot intervals clearly warning that a guard or attack dog is on duty; and

3. The owner of the guard or attack dog is aware of and understands the aggressive nature of the dog, certifies under penalty of perjury that the dog has been trained as a guard or attack dog, and can demonstrate total voice control of the dog.

D. A copy of the guard or attack dog license must be posted and presented upon demand of a police officer or the Director.

E. The premises where a guard or attack dog is to be located shall be subject to inspection by the Director prior to approval of the license. Upon inspection by an animal control officer, the applicant may be requested to provide proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

F. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a guard or attack dog to make application with the Seattle Animal Control for a guard or attack dog license annually before the date of expiration of the previous license.

(Ord. 119998 § 18, 2000; Ord. 117218 § 9, 1994; Ord. 112335 § 1(part), 1985.)

9.25.083 Owning dangerous animals prohibited--Exception.

A. It is unlawful to own a dangerous animal (other than a licensed guard or attack dog) with knowledge that the animal is dangerous, or with reckless disregard of the fact that the animal is dangerous.

B. It is unlawful to possess within the City of Seattle any animal that has been ordered removed from the City of Seattle pursuant to SMC 9.25.035.

C. An animal whose owner is convicted of or pleads guilty to violating this section shall be humanely destroyed.

(Ord. 121178 § 6, 2003; Ord. 119998 § 22, 2000; Ord. 112335 § 1(part), 1985.)

9.25.084 Offenses relating to control.

It is unlawful for the owner to:

A. Permit any animal, except cats and pigeons, to be at large or trespass upon the property of another. It is not a violation of this subsection to have a dog off-leash in an area designated pursuant to Section 18.12.080 as an off-leash area provided that the requirements of Section 18.12.080 B are met;

B. Permit any cat, dog, potbelly pig or other animal to enter any public fountain or any school ground while school is in session or during after-school activities. It is not a violation of this subsection for an owner to permit an animal to enter on to any school ground when school is not in session and no after-school activities are taking place if the animal is on leash and the owner has in his or her immediate possession a device to remove properly any feces the animal may deposit on school grounds;

C. Fail to confine any female cat or dog that is in estrus ("heat") in a secure enclosure so that the female cat or dog cannot come in contact with a male unless the male is admitted by the owner of the female, with the consent of the owners of both the male and female animals;

D. Permit any animal:

1. To damage public property or the private property of another, or

2. To bark, whine, howl, or otherwise vocalize in violation of Chapter 25.08 of the Seattle Municipal Code (Noise Ordinance 106360) or its successor ordinance, or

3. To spread or spill garbage;

E. Have in his/her possession any animal not owned by him/her without the knowledge of the owner, unless he/she notifies the Director of such possession within twenty-four (24) hours; or to fail to surrender such animal to the Director upon demand;

F. Tether an animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to enter any sidewalk, street, alley or place open to the public, or to enter any adjacent lot or premises unless authorized by the occupant of the adjacent premises.

G. Permit any animal when unprovoked on public or private property to:

1. Bite a human being causing less than severe injury as defined in 9.25.023E of the Seattle Municipal Code or bite a domestic animal; or

2. Chase or approach a human, on property other than that of the animal's owner, in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, which may include but is not limited to any one or more of the following behaviors: snarling, baring teeth, growling, snapping, pouncing, lunging, attacking, or attempting to bite.

The breed of a dog shall not be considered to be evidence of violation of this section.

(Ord. 121178 § 7, 2003; Ord. 119998 § 23, 2000; Ord. 118724 § 1, 1997; Ord. 116694 § 9, 1993; Ord. 112335 § 1(part), 1985.)

Cases: Leash law applied only to owner or custodian of dog and therefore could not be the basis for holding landlord liable for injury caused by tenant's dog. Shafer v. Beyers, 26 Wn.Ap. 442, 613 P.2d 554 (1980).

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