How Many Dogs Can You Have in Washington?
Washington state law allows individuals to own up to fifty dogs, but specific cities and counties may have more strict local laws.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Washington
’s state law limiting dog ownership is fairly lenient—it allows individuals to have up to 10 unneutered dogs, and as many as 50 if they meet all the proper care requirements. Cities and counties, on the hand, can be far more strict—many do not allow more than three dogs per property. There’s no friend as loyal or loving as a dog. In a perfect world, you’d be able to keep as many of these furry friends as you wanted. Sadly, that’s not the case. Keeping too many dogs at once often leads to improper care and a public nuisance. That’s why many states, counties, and city governments have laws limiting the number of dogs you can have.
If you’re thinking about adding another canine companion to your pack, you’ll want to glance over this guide on how many dogs you can own in Washington—brought to you by
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Does Washington have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
According to the
Revised Code of Washington
(RCW), a person may not own or in any way have control of more than fifty dogs over six months old that have not been spayed or neutered. If you want to own more than 10 dogs over six months old, you’ll have to meet the following requirements:- Each dog has to have adequate space to move around
- Each dog has to have at least one hour of exercise every day
- Must have and maintain proper housing and support facilities for the dogs
- Each dog must have “easy and convenient” access to food and water
These rules (defined by RCW Title 16, Chapter 52, Section 310) do not apply to commercial breeders or animal shelters.
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Washington?
State law does not outlaw any specific breeds. Instead, the RCW determines if dogs are dangerous on a case-by-case basis. To be deemed “dangerous” a dog must bite, inflict serious injury, or otherwise threaten the safety of a person or another dog without provocation.
While the state of Washington does not outlaw any specific breeds, it does not completely forbid smaller local governments from doing so. According to RCW 16.08.110, a city or county may pass breed-specific laws—but only if they establish a “reasonable process” for acceptions to be made for well-behaved individual dogs.
MORE: Can You Get Pet Insurance for a Pet with Preexisting Conditions?
What are the leash laws in Washington?
Washington does not have statewide leash laws. Instead, cities and counties are responsible for establishing their own rules regarding the matter. Because of this, whether or not you have to have your dog on a leash will vary from one town to another.
In Vancouver, for instance,
city ordinance
states that dogs are only allowed to off-leash when they’re on their owner’s property—once they leave, they must always be on a leash. Similar laws apply in other large cities and certain counties, such as Spokane County
. Penalties for breaking dog laws in Washington
Depending on what law is violated and the severity of the situation, owners who break dog laws can face a variety of penalties running from small fines to criminal charges.
For instance, if you are caught keeping more dogs than is allowed by state law, you’ll be slapped with a $150 fine for the first offense and $500 fines for every subsequent offense.
If, on the other hand, you keep a dog that has previously been declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, and that dog attacks someone and causes serious injury or death, you’ll be charged with a Class C felony.
Failing to meet the basic legal requirements for keeping a dog (providing proper nourishment, exercise, etc) could land you with criminal charges for negligence or cruelty.
Where to find affordable insurance in Washington
Keeping a dog, and taking proper care of it, can be a costly endeavor. Veterinary bills, dog food, and pet toys can all add up to a significant monthly expense. To make sure you have enough extra cash to take care of your furry friend, you may need to cut back on other expenses.
Luckily, you can easily save money on
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FAQ
What happens if my dog bites someone in Washington State?
If your dog bites someone without provocation while not on your property, it may be declared dangerous and confiscated by the state—it depends on the severity of the bite and the local laws in your city/county.
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