A.
A person
is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or
both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control
which results in substantial harm to the animal.
B.
A person
is guilty of animal abandonment when he/she has knowingly abandoned
an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate
care.
C.
Animal
neglect or animal abandonment are ordinance violations. For a first
(1st) offense of either violation, a term of imprisonment not to exceed
fifteen (15) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00),
or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed. For a second (2nd)
or subsequent violation of either offense, a term of imprisonment
not to exceed ninety (90) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred
dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed.
All fines and penalties for a first (1st) conviction of animal neglect
or animal abandonment may be waived by the court provided that the
person found guilty of animal neglect or abandonment shows that adequate,
permanent remedies for the neglect or abandonment have been made.
Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected
or abandoned animals may not be waived.
D.
In
addition to any other penalty imposed by this Section, the court may
order a person found guilty of animal neglect or animal abandonment
to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1.
The care and maintenance of neglected or abandoned animals within
the person's custody or ownership;
2.
The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's
custody or ownership;
3.
The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate
area of the neglect or abandonment; and
4.
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created
by the neglect or abandonment of the animals.
A.
A person
is guilty of animal abuse when a person:
1.
Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed
by or expressly exempted from the provisions of Sections 578.005 to
578.023 and 273.030, RSMo.;
2.
Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal;
or
3.
Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide
adequate care or adequate control.
[1]
Note — Under certain circumstances this offense can
be a felony under state law.
A.
A person
commits the offense of knowingly releasing an animal if that person,
acting without the consent of the owner or custodian of an animal,
intentionally releases any animal that is lawfully confined for the
purpose of companionship or protection of persons or property or for
recreation, exhibition or educational purposes.
B.
As
used in this Section, "animal" means every living
creature, domesticated or wild, but not including Homo sapiens.
C.
The
provisions of this Section shall not apply to a public servant acting
in the course of such servant's official duties.
A.
A person
commits the offense of assault on a police animal when such person
knowingly attempts to kill or disable or knowingly causes or attempts
to cause serious physical injury to a police animal when that animal
is involved in law enforcement investigation, apprehension, tracking,
or search, or the animal is in the custody of or under the control
of a Law Enforcement Officer, Department of Corrections Officer, Municipal
Police Department, Fire Department or a rescue unit or agency.
B.
Assault
on a police animal is an ordinance violation.
A person found guilty of violation of any Sections in this Article
shall not be allowed to own an animal for a period of not less than
one (1) year. If said guilty person is found in possession of an animal,
shall be fined no less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) with the
years of owning an animal be reinstated with a new date. Said person
shall inform Animal Control when he/she moves so he/she can be randomly
checked for violations.
