Council authorizes Yakima Humane Society agreement for holding dangerous dogs

Sunnyside City Council voted 5-2 on Jan. 27, 2025, to authorize the city manager to enter into an animal sheltering agreement with the Yakima Humane Society to provide guaranteed bed space for animals the city is required by law to hold.

City staff described the contract as a targeted, short-term response for animals that are dangerous or that must be quarantined under state/local requirements (for example, dogs that bite a person or otherwise meet the jurisdiction’s dangerous-dog standards). The proposed agreement guarantees four bed spaces at Yakima Humane Society for an even $1,000 a month (about $12,000 annually). Staff said historical averages show the city takes in roughly four legally required hold animals per month — sometimes more, sometimes fewer — and the contract is intended to reserve capacity for those cases.

Chief Layman and the city manager explained the contract would not be a general stray hold program; the priority for the four slots is animals that must be held by law (dangerous dogs or animals that bite a person). Staff said the municipal departments do not currently have a robust long-term facility to house animals that require formal quarantine or holding; the city maintains two on-site kennels but described them as inadequate for routine or sustained quarantine use.

Councilors asked whether Yakima Humane Society would accept additional animals beyond the four reserved spaces and under what additional fee structure; staff said they had already asked Yakima Humane Society for that detail and expected an answer shortly but had not yet received a firm written pricing schedule for overflow animals. The contract as presented includes a 30-calendar-day termination clause, which staff said would allow the city to discontinue the agreement after giving notice.

During public discussion councilors and staff also reviewed code and state references relevant to dangerous-dog handling (Sunnyside Municipal Code chapter 6.04 was cited and the city referenced RCW 16.08.100 in discussion on statutory definitions). Councilors acknowledged the animal-rescue community’s interest in a broader stray-placement strategy and said the city would convene advocates and stakeholders — city staff announced a Feb. 19 meeting to solicit input from local animal advocates and providers.

Councilor Hart moved to approve the contract; the motion was seconded by Councilor Beeler. The motion passed on a 5-2 vote. Council asked staff to bring back clarification on overflow pricing and whether the guaranteed-bed months can flex if the city uses fewer than the four slots in some months.