USA Statutes : washington
Title : Animals and livestock (formerly: animals, estrays, brands, and fences)
Chapter : Prevention of cruelty to animals
RCW 16.52.190Poisoning animals Penalty.(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person is guilty of the crime of poisoning animals if the person intentionally or knowingly poisons an animal under circumstances which do not constitute animal cruelty in the first degree.  (2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to euthanizing by poison an animal in a lawful and humane manner by the animal's owner, or by a duly authorized servant or agent of the owner, or by a person acting pursuant to instructions from a duly constituted public authority.  (3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the reasonable use of rodent or pest poison, insecticides, fungicides, or slug bait for their intended purposes. As used in this section, the term "rodent" includes but is not limited to Columbia ground squirrels, other ground squirrels, rats, mice, gophers, rabbits, and any other rodent designated as injurious to the agricultural interests of the state as provided in *chapter 17.16 RCW. The term "pest" as used in this section includes any pest as defined in RCW 17.21.020.  (4) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[2003 c 53 § 111; 1994 c 261 § 13; 1941 c 105 § 1; RRS § 3207-1. Formerly RCW 16.52.150, part.]Notes:*Reviser's note: Chapter 17.16 RCW was repealed by 1994 c 11 § 1.Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.Finding -- Intent -- 1994 c 261: See note following RCW 16.52.011. RCW 16.52.193Poisoning animals Strychnine sales Records Report on suspected purchases.(1) It is unlawful for any person other than a registered pharmacist to sell at retail or furnish to any person any strychnine: PROVIDED, That nothing herein prohibits county, state, or federal agents, in the course of their duties, from furnishing strychnine to any person. Every such registered pharmacist selling or furnishing such strychnine shall, before delivering the same, record the transaction as provided in RCW 69.38.030. If any such registered pharmacist suspects that any person desiring to purchase strychnine intends to use the same for the purpose of poisoning unlawfully any domestic animal or domestic bird, he or she may refuse to sell to such person, but whether or not he or she makes such sale, he or she shall if he or she so suspects an intention to use the strychnine unlawfully, immediately notify the nearest peace officer, giving such officer a complete description of the person purchasing, or attempting to purchase, such strychnine.  (2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[2003 c 53 § 112; 1987 c 34 § 7; 1941 c 105 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1941 § 3207-2. Formerly RCW 18.67.110.]Notes:Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.