Washington criminal charge
Interfering with search and rescue dog in Washington
Interfering with search and rescue dog is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.91.175. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by RCW 9.91.175.
What is the penalty for interfering with search and rescue dog in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - first violation — A person who, after receiving notice, recklessly disregards and interferes with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(3)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.030 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - first violation — A person who, after receiving notice, recklessly disregards and interferes with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of interfering with an on-duty search and rescue dog after prior notice.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of interfering with an on-duty search and rescue dog after prior notice.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - first violation — A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(3)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.030 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - first violation — A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of allowing one's dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - second or subsequent violation — A second or subsequent violation of allowing one's dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person — A person who, with reckless disregard, injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person — A person who, with reckless disregard, injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person's dog — A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person's dog — A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Intentional injury or death of search and rescue dog — A person who intentionally injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Intentional injury or death of search and rescue dog — A person who intentionally injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to current.
How is interfering with search and rescue dog classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - first violation | Misdemeanor | A person who, after receiving notice, recklessly disregards and interferes with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation. | RCW 9.91.175(1)(a) |
| Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - second or subsequent violation | Gross Misdemeanor | A second or subsequent violation of interfering with an on-duty search and rescue dog after prior notice. | RCW 9.91.175(1)(a) |
| Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - first violation | Misdemeanor | A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing safety, on a first violation. | RCW 9.91.175(1)(b) |
| Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - second or subsequent violation | Gross Misdemeanor | A second or subsequent violation of allowing one's dog to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog. | RCW 9.91.175(1)(b) |
| Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person | Gross Misdemeanor | A person who, with reckless disregard, injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog. | RCW 9.91.175(2)(a) |
| Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person's dog | Gross Misdemeanor | A person who, with reckless disregard, allows his or her dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog. | RCW 9.91.175(2)(b) |
| Intentional injury or death of search and rescue dog | Class C Felony | A person who intentionally injures, disables, or causes the death of an on-duty search and rescue dog. | RCW 9.91.175(3) |
Common questions about interfering with search and rescue dog in Washington
Is interfering with search and rescue dog a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: interfering with search and rescue dog ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.91.175.
Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - first violation: Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(1)(a)) · Interfering with search and rescue dog by person - second or subsequent violation: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(1)(a)) · Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - first violation: Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(1)(b)) · Allowing dog to interfere with search and rescue dog - second or subsequent violation: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(1)(b)) · Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(2)(a)) · Reckless injury or death of search and rescue dog by person's dog: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.91.175(2)(b)) · Intentional injury or death of search and rescue dog: Class C Felony (RCW 9.91.175(3))
What are the penalties for interfering with search and rescue dog in Washington?
Penalties for interfering with search and rescue dog in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor up to a Class C Felony — with the ranges set by RCW 9A.20.021; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Washington statute covers interfering with search and rescue dog?
Interfering with search and rescue dog is governed by RCW 9.91.175 (Interfering with search and rescue dog).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.