Washington strengthened its animal cruelty laws in 2024. Here’s what still needs to change.

Washington has made progress on animal cruelty laws, but serious gaps remain when multiple animals are deliberately tortured or killed.

The Devon Detweiler case (Burien, WA – arrested 9/25, released 4/26) illustrates the problem. Detweiler pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree animal cruelty for torturing and killing three kittens (he said he was working up to killing people, and that his father would be his first victim). He received 12 months on each count, but the sentences ran concurrently, meaning they were served at the same time rather than one after another. He ended up only serving 7.5 months for his crimes.

HB 1961 (became effective in 2024) was an important reform. Before it, first degree animal cruelty was generally an unranked Class C felony. HB 1961 took effect in 2024 and placed first degree animal cruelty at Seriousness Level III on Washington’s felony sentencing grid. That allows multiple convictions to affect an offender’s score and sentencing range.

But ranking the offense did not solve the concurrent sentencing problem.

I think Washington should build on HB 1961 with several specific reforms, and these are changes the Legislature can actually make.

1. Make each animal victim matter in sentencing

For qualifying cases involving the deliberate torture or killing of multiple animals, Washington could require consecutive sentences, or create a statutory presumption favoring consecutive sentences.

How to do it: Legislators could amend Washington’s felony sentencing statutes, particularly RCW 9.94A.589, and the animal cruelty statutes to establish a specific rule for serious animal cruelty involving multiple victims.

This would not require consecutive sentences for every animal related offense. The Legislature could narrowly define when the rule applies, such as first degree cruelty involving intentional killing, torture, or multiple victims.

1. Raise the seriousness level of first degree animal cruelty

HB 1961 placed first degree animal cruelty at Seriousness Level III. The Legislature can revisit that classification.

How to do it: Pass legislation amending the felony sentencing grid in RCW 9.94A.515 and assign first degree animal cruelty a higher seriousness level. That would increase the standard sentencing ranges, particularly as an offender’s score increases.

1. Create explicit aggravating factors for extreme animal cruelty

Washington already allows exceptional sentences above the standard range when legally recognized aggravating circumstances exist. Animal cruelty specific aggravators could make the law clearer.

How to do it: Amend RCW 9.94A.535 to expressly recognize circumstances such as multiple animal victims, prolonged torture or suffering, or exceptionally egregious cruelty. Prosecutors would then have a clearer statutory basis for seeking an exceptional sentence when those circumstances are proven.

1. Make existing animal possession prohibitions easier to enforce

Washington already imposes a permanent prohibition on owning, caring for, possessing, or residing with animals following a first degree animal cruelty conviction. Having a prohibition on paper, however, is only useful if violations can realistically be detected.

How to do it: Strengthen procedures for recording and checking these prohibitions and make information accessible to the appropriate agencies and organizations responsible for placing animals.

1. Establish a statewide animal abuse registry

Washington could create a centralized registry covering qualifying serious animal cruelty convictions and animal possession prohibitions.

How to do it: The Legislature would need to create the registry by statute and determine which convictions qualify, how long registration lasts, what information is recorded, who may access it, how records are updated, and the consequences for violating registration requirements.

At minimum, shelters, rescues, animal control agencies, and others responsible for placing animals should have a reliable way to determine whether someone is legally prohibited from possessing one.

So what can Washington residents actually do?

Contact your state representative and state senator and ask for legislation addressing these specific issues, rather than simply asking them to “strengthen animal cruelty laws.” Ask for amendments dealing with consecutive sentencing for multiple animal victims, a higher seriousness level for first degree cruelty, animal cruelty specific aggravating factors, enforcement of possession prohibitions, and a statewide registry.

If a bill is introduced, the next important stage is the committee process. Washington residents can submit written testimony, sign in supporting or opposing legislation, and testify at public hearings. Animal welfare organizations, shelters, rescues, veterinarians, prosecutors, animal control professionals, and constituents can also work together on proposed statutory language and build legislative support.

HB 1961 proves these laws are not set in stone. Washington changed the sentencing system once because the old approach was inadequate. We can change it again.

Every animal victim is a separate life. Our laws should ensure that multiple victims actually result in meaningfully greater consequences.