ISLAND COUNTY: Island County Commissioners Adopt More Stringent Animal Welfare Code (MELANIE BACON)
Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following announcement on Wed., Oct. 18, 2023. Commissioner Janet St. Clair sent an identical announcement a few minutes later.
Island County Commissioners Adopt More Stringent Animal Welfare Code
With a strong show of support from local animal rights advocates, the Board of Island County Commissioners adopted a more stringent Animal Welfare Code Tuesday, Oct. 17.
By strengthening the role of law enforcement and animal control officers, the ordinance aims to prevent the inhumane treatment of animals and require the humane use and care of animals in Island County.
Under the ordinance, if there is probable cause to believe an animal owner or keeper has violated state animal cruelty laws, a county officer may seize and impound that animal or animals, under the ordinance.
The ordinance also includes stiffer penalties for animal welfare violations.
In a major change, the new code implements more stringent kennel licensing requirements for anyone who keeps 10 or more dogs and cats, and a different kennel license for anyone who keeps five or more for commercial purposes such as breeding. The code outlines the feeding and health care requirements and living conditions provided for animals in kennels.
The Animal Control Division may inspect a commercial kennel at any time to ensure compliance with the new county code, and will, in response to complaints, conduct kennel inspections for conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
In adopting the new code, the commissioners have effectively increased the ability of law enforcement officers to identify and correct cases of alleged animal cruelty.
