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http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/285316083396267
Commissioners amended the county's animal control ordinance to mandate criminal penalties, rather than the previous civil sanctions — tickets that were often routinely ignored.
Now penalties, depending on the severity of an incident involving a dog, are a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor, which can both be punishable by fines and jail time. Punishable offenses range from threatening behavior to causing injury or death to humans, domestic animals and livestock.
A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. A gross misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Owners could face additional criminal penalties for repeated offenses or failing to cooperate with animal control officers.
For example, a dog owner's failure to take steps to restrain dogs after an incident or to appear in court results in another misdemeanor citation.
The changes are the result of efforts by the county, and the cities of Yakima and Union Gap to make their ordinances nearly identical.
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