Ocean Shores planning commission narrows trapping rules, excludes dogs and cats amid legal concerns

Ocean Shores planning commissioners on Tuesday approved an amendment to the city's draft trapping ordinance that expressly bars trapping of dogs and cats and lays out a multi-step process for authorizing wildlife removals.

Commissioners said the ordinance is meant to allow residents to seek remediation when wildlife causes property damage or threatens safety, while keeping trapping by individuals off private initiative. The commission added language that makes trapping of "dogs and cats" unlawful and requires code enforcement to confirm the problem, contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and rely on a state-licensed wildlife control operator to obtain permits before trapping begins.

The change matters because it alters who may authorize trapping and how. Under the commission's draft, a resident who claims property damage must first contact city code enforcement. If enforcement "determines" there is an issue, the city will contact WDFW and then "establish contact with a licensed wildlife control…