[R.O. 2012 §205.130; Ord. No. 659 Art. II §1, 10-3-2001; Ord. No. 824 Art. II § 1, 12-20-2016]
A. 
It shall be a municipal ordinance violation not to adequately care for animals in a person's charge. For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
ADEQUATE CARE
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including wholesome food, clean water, shelter and health care as necessary to maintain good health in a specific species of animals.
ADEQUATE CONTROL
To reasonably restrain or govern an animal so that the animal does not injure itself, any person or any other animal or property.
ANIMAL
Every living vertebrate except a human being.
B. 
Animal Neglect. 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, including, but not limited to, knowingly abandoning an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
C. 
Animal Abuse. 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.
D. 
Responsibility of Parent or Guardian of Minor Owning. The parent or guardian of a minor child is responsible for the adequate care of any animal owned by, in the control of, or harbored by that minor child.
[R.O. 2012 §205.140; Ord. No. 659 Art. II §2, 10-3-2001; Ord. No. 824 Art. II § 2, 12-20-2016]
A. 
Any duly authorized public health official, Law Enforcement Official, or Animal Control Officer may impound any animal found outside of the owned or rented property of the owner or custodian of such animal when such animal shows evidence of neglect or abuse. Any animal impounded pursuant to this Section shall be:
1. 
If the owner can be ascertained and the animal is not diseased beyond recovery for any useful purpose, held for recovery by the owner. The owner shall be notified within five (5) business days of impoundment by phone or by mail of the animal's location and recovery procedures. The animal shall be held for ten (10) business days. An animal unclaimed after ten (10) business days may be put up for adoption or humanely killed;
2. 
Placed in the care or custody of a veterinarian, the appropriate animal control authority or animal shelter. The animal shall not be disposed of, unless diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose, until after expiration of a minimum of five (5) business days, during which time the public shall have clear access to inspect or recover the animal through time periods ordinarily accepted as usual business hours. After five (5) business days, the animal may be put up for adoption or humanely killed; or
3. 
If diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose as determined by a public health official, Law Enforcement Official, veterinarian or Animal Control Officer, humanely killed.
B. 
The owner or custodian of any animal impounded pursuant to this Section shall be liable for all costs associated with the care and maintenance of the animal. Any person incurring reasonable costs for the care and maintenance of such animal shall have a lien against such animal until the reasonable costs have been paid and may put up for adoption or humanely kill any animal if such costs are not paid within ten (10) days after demand. Any moneys received for an animal adopted pursuant to this Subsection in excess of cost shall be paid to the owner of such animal.
[R.O. 2012 §205.150; Ord. No. 659 Art. II §3, 10-3-2001; Ord. No. 824 Art. II § 3, 12-20-2016]
A. 
Any duly authorized public health official or Law Enforcement Official may seek a warrant from the appropriate court to enable him/her to enter private property in order to inspect, care for, or impound neglected or abused animals. All requests for such warrants shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating the probable cause to believe a violation of Section 578.005 to 578.023, RSMo., has occurred. A person acting under the authority of a warrant shall:
1. 
Be given a disposition hearing before the court through which the warrant was issued, within thirty (30) days of the filing of the request for the purpose of granting immediate disposition of the animal or animals impounded;
2. 
Place impounded animals in the care or custody of a veterinarian, the appropriate animal control authority, or an animal shelter. If no appropriate veterinarian, animal control authority, or animal shelter is available, the animal shall not be impounded unless it is diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose;
3. 
Humanely kill any animal impounded if it is determined by a licensed veterinarian that the animal is diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose;
4. 
Not be liable for any necessary damage to property while acting under such warrant.
B. 
The owner or custodian or any person claiming an interest in any animal that has been impounded because of neglect or abuse may prevent disposition of the animal by posting bond or security in an amount sufficient to provide for the animal's care and keeping for at least thirty (30) days, inclusive of the date on which the animal was taken into custody. Notwithstanding the fact that bond may be posted pursuant to this Subsection, the authority having custody of the animal may humanely dispose of the animal at the end of the time for which expenses are covered by the bond or security, unless there is a court order prohibiting such disposition. Such order shall provide for a bond or other security in the amount necessary to protect the authority having custody of the animal from any cost of the care, keeping or disposal of the animal. The authority taking custody of an animal shall give notice of the provisions of this Section by posting a copy of this Section at the place where the animal was taken up into custody or by delivering it to a person residing on the property.
C. 
The owner or custodian of any animal humanely killed pursuant to this Section shall not be entitled to recover any damages related to nor the actual value of the animal if the animal was found by a licensed veterinarian to be diseased or disabled, or if the owner or custodian failed to post bond or security for the care, keeping and disposition of the animal after being notified of impoundment.
D. 
The owner, keeper or harborer of an animal impounded under the provisions of this Section shall be liable for the cost of the care and maintenance of any animal impounded as a result of his/her actions.
[Ord. No. 824 Art. II § 4, 12-20-2016]
A. 
The charge for care and impoundment of an animal within the City shall be the actual charge for such care and boarding while such animal was in confinement.
B. 
Any portion of a twenty-four-hour period beginning when the animal is impounded shall constitute a whole day for purposes of calculating the fee for impoundment.