The RCW further states:The landlord is also barred in any action brought by the tenant to recover the deposit from asserting any claim or raising any defense for retaining any of the deposit unless the landlord shows that circumstances beyond the landlord's control prevented the landlord from providing the statement within the fourteen days or that the tenant abandoned the premises as defined in RCW 59.18.310.which is the case in my circumstance.

Outer moat (first line of defense), is positive cash flow.

If its covered under your policy, then the defense costs are paid by the insurance company.

However if they have renters insurance, then their policy is 1st in line to cover the expense and legal defense.

If ever charged with a claim of discrimination, which is bound to happen if you are in the landlord business long enough (cynical, I know) you lose that critical defense of lack of knowledge once you have met face to face.

If you haven't already consulted both a Criminal Defense attorney and a Landlord/Tenant attorney, I would highly recommend doing so.

Very good practical points (and strong defense to any claim the tenant may make against you during the lease). 

While some breeds may have a genetic predisposition to certain kinds of aggression (towards other dogs, or in defense of their owners, for example), how the dog owner manages their dog and the individual temperament of the dog matter more than the breed.  

From a legal aspect, if something occurs such as fire, injury or worse, you have no legal defense.

Playing great financial defense with my bills.