County prosecutors, sheriff present draft changes to nuisance-animal code; formal hearing planned

COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. — County Deputy Prosecutor Jason Loreen, accompanied by Sheriff Thurman, presented proposed language changes to the county nuisance-animal code and told the Board of Commissioners staff will move the proposal to a formal hearing.

"We wanted to sharpen it, make it a little more accessible for all parties," Loreen said, describing changes intended to reduce future litigation and to clarify that enforcement may apply to "anyone in control of the animal," not only the registered owner.

Loreen said the revisions also clarify how service of abatement notices may be made and set out procedures for appealing a notice of abatement, including the 15‑day appeal period and consequences for failure to appear at a requested hearing.

A commissioner asked whether language allowing an owner to "permanently transfer ownership, custody, and control of the animal to another person not related to or residing with the owner" would merely move the problem to another home. Loreen and the sheriff said the change targets nuisance situations (dogs at large, repeated disturbances) rather than dangerous‑dog incidents covered in a different code chapter; they said transfer is intended to address situations where the owner's conduct, not the animal itself, creates the nuisance.

Loreen indicated he will provide paperwork to the clerk and that a formal hearing will be scheduled. The sheriff said the county has used the dangerous-dog ordinance in at least one recent case, where the owner complied with restrictions and fees after the attack.

No vote or adoption occurred at the workshop; the item was presented for consideration and to set up a formal hearing process.