My Brother left a dog in my apartment. Can I consider the dog an abandoned animal in Washington?

Full question:

My brother came to live with my boyfriend and me for a few months. He had a dog, which also lived in our apartment. My boyfriend and I have spent few dollars on this dog whenever my brother was away. Now my brother has left the apartment leaving behind his dog. I told him to take the dog back but he has not replied. Can I keep the dog forever?

• Category: Abandoned Property
• Subcategory: Animals
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Washington

Answer:

In the given situation, it may be presumed that your brother has abandoned the dog if it’s been more than 15 days after you sent a notice to your brother telling him to take his dog. A dog or any animal may be presumed to be abandoned if:

The animal is left in the custody of any person for an unspecified time and is not removed by the owner within fifteen days after he received a notice of removing the animal.  
After the owner is notified, he refuses to pay the agreed or reasonable charged for treatment, board, or care of such animal.

The animal is not removed even after the expiry of the specified time for which it was placed or the owner refuses to pay the agreed or reasonable charges for the treatment, board, or care of such animal.So if the dog is an abandoned dog you may give the dog to any humane society. If no such humane society exists within your county, then you may notify the sheriff of your county. The  sheriff  may dispose of such animal as provided by law or  may even sell the dog at a public auction where you may bid for the dog and buy it legally.

Here is the relevant law for more information on abandonment of animals and their disposition:

Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 16.54.010 :

When deemed abandoned.
An animal is deemed to be abandoned under the provisions of this chapter when it is placed in the custody of a veterinarian, boarding kennel owner, or any person for treatment, board, or care and:
     (1) Having been placed in such custody for an unspecified period of time the animal is not removed within fifteen days after notice to remove the animal has been given to the person who placed the animal in such custody or having been so notified the person depositing the animal refuses or fails to pay agreed upon or reasonable charges for the treatment, board, or care of such animal, or;
     (2) Having been placed in such custody for a specified period of time the animal is not removed at the end of such specified period or the person depositing the animal refuses to pay agreed upon or reasonable charges for the treatment, board, or care of such animal.
 
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 16.54.020 :

Disposition of abandoned animal by person having custody.
Any person having in his or her care, custody, or control any abandoned animal as defined in RCW 16.54.010, may deliver such animal to any humane society having facilities for the care of such animals or to any pound maintained by or under contract or agreement with any city or county within which such animal was abandoned. If no such humane society or pound exists within the county the person with whom the animal was abandoned may notify the sheriff of the county wherein the abandonment occurred.
 
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 16.54.030 :

Duty of sheriff -- Sale -- Disposition of proceeds.
It shall be the duty of the sheriff of such county upon being so notified, to dispose of such animal as provided by law in reference to estrays if such law is applicable to the animal abandoned, or if not so applicable then such animal shall be sold by the sheriff at public auction. Notice of any such sale shall be given by posting a notice in three public places in the county at least ten days prior to such public sale. Proceeds of such sale shall be paid to the county treasurer for deposit in the county general fund.