Animal Control Officer Academy

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) and Washington Animal Control Association (WACA) have partnered together to offer the Animal Control Officer Academy. This 80-hour intensive course is held at the WSCJTC center in Burien, Washington and is specifically designed for Animal Control Officers. Instructors consist of WACA personnel who will cover a variety of topics to satisfy Washington state’s Animal Control Officer requirements.

  • Upcoming classes are listed below in Training Sessions.
  • To register for the course, contact your Training Manager to assign the training to you via Acadis

Topics Covered in 80-Hour Course:

Animal Control and Care:

  • Capture & Restraint
  • Wildlife Identification & Handling
  • State & Local Animal Laws
  • Animal Diseases and First Aid
  • Blood Sports

Traditional Law Enforcement:

  • Court Room Procedures
  • Ethics
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Criminal Law
  • Search & Seizure
Cost: $500
Contact:
Bob Graham (CIT Statewide and Support Services Program Manager)
call Phone: (206) 786- 4401
mail Email: bob.graham@cjtc.wa.gov
Location:

WSCJTC
19010 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
United States

Register

Relevant Animal Control Codes in Washington State

RCW Chapter 16.52 – Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Sections:

  • RCW 16.52.011 – Definitions and Principles of Liability
  • RCW 16.52.015 – Enforcement—Law enforcement agencies and animal care and control agencies.
  • RCW 16.52.025 – Humane societies—Animal control officers.
  • RCW 16.52.80 – Transporting or confining in unsafe manner—Penalty.
  • RCW 16.52.85 – Removal of animals for feeding and care—Examination—Notice—Euthanasia.
  • RCW 16.52.100 – Confinement without food or water-–Intervention by others.
  • RCW 16.52.200 –Sentences—Forfeiture of animals—Liability for costs—Penalty—Education, Counseling.
  • RCW 16.52.300 – Dogs or cats used as bait—Seizure—Limitation.
  • RCW 16.52.340 – Leave or confine any animal in unattended motor vehicle or enclosed space—Class 2 civil infraction—Officers' authority to reasonably remove animal.

Relevant Resources

News Links

If classes are full, or not available, please complete the Course Interest Survey. This is not a waiting list, but instead helps us see if there is enough interest to create another class. If we schedule a session, we will contact everyone who has completed the survey and request that registration be completed.

Prerequisite

Must be active & employed animal control officer.
A Criminal Records Check Form is required prior to class, completed, and signed by an appointing authority of the applying agency.

WHO CAN ATTEND OUR CLASSES?

Class is only open to active animal control officers who meet the prerequisites.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

  • Gym clothes for physical activity days
  • Black pants
  • Black duty boots or shoes
  • NEW – you MUST bring a laptop for daily class room use. A thumb drive with materials will be supplied.

DRESS CODE

Visitors attending training at the WSCJTC are encouraged to wear their agency logo shirt/uniform or agency ID badge while on campus. Polo shirts will be provided.

SCHEDULE

Classes will be held 0800 – 1700 Monday through Friday.

Dates and locations will vary by session.

CANCELLATION

Deadline to cancel is 7 days prior to class. Please send an email to atd@cjtc.wa.gov to cancel your registration.

There is a $100 no show or late cancellation fee.